Earl L. Morris, chief executive officer and founder of stainless steel plumbing products manufacturer Acorn Engineering Co., and chairman and founder of plumbing products manufacturer's representative/distributor Elmco Sales Inc., passed away at the age of 89 on April 3, 2003. In 1954, Morris founded and served as president and chief executive officer of Acorn until 1985, when he became chairman of the board. He remained active in the business until 2000.

Morris began his career in the early 1930s at Crane Co., working his way up to manager of marine sales. Recognizing his talent for selling plumbing products, he established Earl L. Morris Co. in 1944. In the early 1950s, the name was changed to Elmco Sales Inc., and in 1954, he expanded by creating Acorn, a manufacturing company that originally manufactured a line of cleanouts, floor sinks and prefabricated shower equipment. Currently, the Acorn family of companies includes Acorn/Powell Ltd., AcornVac Inc., Acudor/Acorn Ltd., Acorn-Gencon Plastics, Chronomite Labs, Elmco & Associates, Elmco/Duddy, Elmco/Ford, Elmco Sales Inc., Elmco/Stewart, Elmdor/Stoneman Manufacturing, Elm Tree Development, Morris Property Management Co., Plomeria Especializado, Potter Roemer LLC, Super Secur Manufacturing, and Whitehall Manufacturing.

Morris is survived by his wife, Kay Morris; two sons, Don and Dennis; 10 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.