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WHEELING -- Attorney Robert Clark Morton, a founding member of the Herndon Morton Herndon and Yeager law firm in Wheeling, died Saturday of complications relating to the coronavirus.
A long-time resident of Wheeling, Morton retired from private practice in 2016 and moved with his wife to Indianapolis, Indiana to be closer to his daughters, according to a released statement. He was 91.
The law firm's website states the Herndon law firm originally was founded in 1938 by the late Richard G. Herndon. Herndon was joined by Morton and Herndon's daughter -- the late Judith Herndon, to form Herndon, Morton & Herndon. The firm became known as Herndon, Morton, Herndon & Yaeger with the addition of current senior partner, William J. Yaeger Jr. in 1976.
Morton is hailed as being an active civic leader.
He was a former president of the Ohio County Bar Association, but also had a background in banking. He served as chairman of the Progressive Bank Board of Directors, as well as of the First West Virginia Bank Corporation. He served on the bank board for 50 years.
He also was a director of the West Liberty University Foundation, and was honored by West Liberty at the school's Wall of Honor celebration in 1991.
Morton also is termed an "instrumental figure" in the development of the Wheeling Civic Center, now known as WesBanco Arena. He was a director and past chairman for the Greater Wheeling Sports & Entertainment Authority, and was involved in the creation of the Wheeling Hall of Fame.
A long-time member of St. Michael parish, he served as an usher for more than 50 years.
Morton was born in Wheeling on February 2, 1929, to Elizabeth Clark and Harry Wythe Morton. He attended St. Michael's School as a child, before moving to Pittsburgh and graduating from Dormont High School. He was a 1953 graduate of West Liberty State College, and a 1956 graduate of Georgetown University College of Law, according to provided information.
Early in his career, Morton worked for the Internal Revenue Service offices in Toledo, Ohio and Parkersburg, WV. In 1961, he entered private practice with Herndon Morton Herndon and Yeager, where he practiced for 55 years. Morton was admitted to the West Virginia State Court, as well as the United States Tax Court, U.S. Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit, and the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia. He was a member of both the American and West Virginia State Bar Associations.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and brother Blair Morton.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Patricia Howley Morton; sons Neal Morton of Wheeling, and Scott (Penny) Morton of West Palm Beach, Florida; and and daughters Teresa (Dr. Eldon) Nyhart, and Dr. Deidre (Tom) Pettinga, both of Indianapolis. Five grandsons, numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews also survive him.
Funeral services will be private.