John Morris: The Bass Pro Shops Founder
John Morris is a legendary figure in the outdoor retail industry. He is the founder and CEO of Bass Pro Shops which is one of the most popular outdoor retail stores in the United States. Morris is also a major conservationist and has made it his life’s mission to make sure the outdoors remain accessible and enjoyable to all people. In this article, we will explore the life and accomplishments of John Morris, the Bass Pro Shops Founder.
Childhood & Early Career
John Morris was born in 1945 in Springfield, Missouri to Johnny Morris, Sr. and Mary Morris. At an early age, Morris developed an appreciation of the outdoors, fishing with his father in the nearby ponds and rivers. Morris graduated from the University of Missouri in 1968 and also served in Vietnam as a rifleman during the war. After returning from Vietnam, Morris opened a bait and tackle shop beneath a local department store.
The Start of Bass Pro Shops
In 1972, Morris opened a humble tackle shop in Springfield, Missouri that would eventually become the multi-million dollar company, Bass Pro Shops. The stores slowly grew In popularity over the years and today you can find over 95 Bass Pro Shops stores across North America. The stores have become most popular for their wide selection of fishing, hunting and boating equipment, as well as clothing, camping supplies, and firearms.
Success & Accomplishments
Over the last five decades, Morris has been able to grow Bass Pro Shops into a successful and thriving retail business. In the process, he has been able to create thousands of jobs and generate over $3 billion in economic activity each year. Another remarkable achievement is Morris’ ability to pay off all the original investors in Bass Pro Shops in less than 10 years. Morris has also been able to secure the financial future of the company through clever investments.
Conservation & Legacy
John Morris is a major conservationist and has made it his life’s mission to make sure the outdoors remain accessible and enjoyable to all people. Morris has dedicated himself to restoring wetlands, large-scale conservation projects, and protecting endangered species. He also created the Bass Pro Shops Cabela’s Conservation Fund to help promote conservation efforts in North America.
Awards & Recognitions
One of Morris’ greatest achievements has been his commitment to conservation which led him to be awarded the National Wildlife Federation Conservation Achievement Award in 1991. In 2012, he was inducted into the National Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame and was also inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in 2013. Morris has also been honored with various honorary degrees from different universities and colleges.
John Morris, the founder and CEO of Bass Pro Shops has created a remarkable career for himself and has accomplished more than most could ever dream of. He is a major conservationist, philanthropist, and successful businessman, who has tried to make the outdoors a better place for everyone. Morris has had an incredible impact on the outdoor retail industry and will no doubt be remembered as one of the all-time greats.
