The conversations he has had over the years range from serious topics like suicide and COVID to sports and family. And thousands of jokes.
Since 1961 he has been cutting the hair of ordinary folk, preachers with shiny black shoes, kids and even a General. He recalls a time three preachers showed up at once. "None of the preachers knew the others were preachers," Morrison said with his patented laugh that almost sounds like it is on constant loop because of how frequently he breaks into them. He listens to people vent as he lends a sympathetic ear and even shares in snacks from nearby restaurants folks brought.
And he has made them feel comfortable, like family.
Lois tries to keep his chair filled with disheveled customers wishing to no longer be disheveled. She often sits out in the waiting room to also lend an ear and keep an eye out the window on North Franklin Street. She makes sure her husband doesn't miss things since his hearing ain't what it used to be and corrects mistakes in stories he tells. She answers the phone and keeps the schedule..
His family was planning a 60 year celebration for the barbershop this month, but thought of just having people come in this week during the Cochranton Fair to say hello and wish him well..
In the old days he'd have a ping-pong table in the back where folks would come hang out even if they didn't need a trim. Area merchants would gather and hold tournaments.
He's a Vietnam War Era veteran who worked supplies in Germany. Strangely they wouldn't let him cut hair in the army. He was a self proclaimed shy kid, though that last part almost sounds like one of the embellished stories told in his shop over the years.
"He's come out of his shell as you can see," Lois piped up from the waiting area.
A few years back he had major heart surgery, but was back behind the scissors in a little more than a month.
He is very well known around the little hamlet of Cochranton and is often stopped in the market for conversation.
Several years back he sold his salon to just keep his old school barbershop. "I like to talk about things men like to talk about," he said, but admits, as a result, he has seen a few more incision scars his patrons decided to show than he has cared to see.
He does talk about retirement from time to to time, but hasn't hung up his clippers yet..
"It's all talk," Lois said. "This is his happy place,"