David M. Morse, of Moscow, age 44, beloved husband, dad, son, brother and friend, died Aug. 24, 2024, following a 14-month battle with brain cancer.
Growing up, David’s parents had careers with international nonprofit organizations took the family to Burkina-Faso, Chad, then Cambodia before they returned home to Moscow where David finished high school. He then attended the University of Idaho and majored in International Studies. As an undergraduate student, he met and married his first wife, Mandy Puckett, who unexpectedly passed away from a pulmonary embolism after nine months of marriage in 2002.
David then attended the University of Idaho College of Law. While he was a law student, he married Lisa Bausch and they welcomed their son Elijah before he earned his Juris Doctor degree in 2008.
After law school, David founded “Idaho Rising,” an organization focused on engaging young people in the democratic process. He worked closely with Bill Parks and became a specialist in corporate tax policies, particularly interested in policies that helped small businesses. He was working as Tax Policy Director for the Coalition for a Prosperous America at the time of his diagnosis.
David was an active community member. He was involved in Cub Scouts, Indian Hills Playground Park Organizers West Park/Russell Parent Action Team and the Latah County Democrats. He was also a member of the First United Methodist Church of Moscow, where he served as a Sunday School teacher, a member of the church choir, an usher and occasional liturgist.
David was so much more than his schooling, his career and his community involvement. He was a genuinely kind soul. When David was diagnosed, and it became clear his cognitive deficits resulting from the cancer were permanent, he took it in stride. “Maybe I can’t be smart anymore, but I can still be kind.” He spent his last 14 months spreading kindness. Even in his final weeks in the hospital, when his body was failing and his cognition was in severe decline, anyone who walked into the room would be greeted with, “I hope you are having a good day,” or, “I hope you slept well.” His absence from the world will be felt by many.
David is survived by his wife Lisa Morse, son Elijah Morse, parents John and Ana Morse and brother Joshua Morse.
A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14, at the First United Methodist Church, 322 E. Third St., Moscow, followed by a memorial reception with light refreshments at PCEI.
