George Morton passed away on August 24, 2022, just shy of his 95th birthday. George graduated from the UT College of Law in 1949.In 1960, George and his brother, L. Clure Morton founded the firm of Morton & Morton. The firm continued to grow and eventually became Morton, Lewis, King & Krieg and is now known as Lewis Thomason. In a well-loved tradition, George required all the lawyers and staff to refer to each other as “Mr.” or “Miss/Mrs” as an outward show of respect to each other. George spent his final years practicing law in a partnership with his son, Myers Morton.

In 1991, George received the KBA’s Governor’s Award. George served as the Law Director for the City of Knoxville and as legal counsel for the Public Building Authority.He managed the East Tennessee campaign efforts of Howard Baker for his successful senatorial run in 1966. George could always be identified by his trademark cigar hanging from his mouth. He would often place his “previously” lit cigar in his suit pocket, which on occasion, resulted in smoke rising from his suit pocket.

George was preceded in death by wife, Margo Morton; sister, Alyse Morton and brother, L. Clure Morton. George is survived by his children and their spouses: Marcus and Wendy Morton, Myers and Missy Morton; and Primis Anne and Brent Buechler. George also had five grandchildren and three great grandchildren.