Morris Joseph Ehrlich

Dr. Morris J. Ehrlich, of Chester died Monday, April 5, 2010 at the age of 90 at the Dorn VA Medical Center in Columbia. Morris Joseph Ehrlich, Jr. was born 09 January 1920, the son of Louise Douglass Ehrlich and Morris Joseph Ehrlich, Sr.He was a 1937 graduate of Chester High School, then attended the University of South Carolina as a pre-dental student and was a member of the Kappa Alpha Fraternity.In the fall of 1939 he entered Atlanta Southern Dental College, joining the dental fraternity Xi Psi Phi in 1940.He graduated from the dental college in February, 1943. Joining the Naval Reserves as an ensign in the spring of 1942, he received a promotion to LT(jg) USNR in the spring of 1943.He began his tour of duty in the U.S. Marine Corps at Parris Island, SC in May 1943.In 1944 he was transferred to the U.S. Marine Corps, Medical Field Service at Camp Lejuene , NC for special training prior to overseas assignment.He was promoted to LT. US NR in 1944. Lt. Ehrlich was attached to the Marine Corps, Medical Field ServiceUnit, fighting in the Pacific War front.In 1945 he was on the Island of Iwo Jima during the severe fighting for occupancy of the island.His battalion was almost decimated.He returned to the U.S. in December of 1945. Dr. Ehrlich was a licensed dentist in GA, NC, and SC.He elected to remain in Chester and opened his dental practice in 1946 on McAliley Street and retired from practice in 1980. Baptized in Purity Presbyterian Church, he later served as a deacon. Dr. Ehrlich served on the Chester City Council in the 1950s.He was a member of the Jaycees,Lion's Club, a member of the ADA and S.C. Dental Association. He is survived by two sons, Dr. (Rev.) Morris J. Ehrlich, 111, Palisades, CO; Fredrick (Terry) Ehrlich and wife Donna, Chester SC; three granddaughters: Anna E. Dassing and husband Robert, Mount Pleasant, SC; Tama E. Eller and husband Robert, Clayton, NC; Lynly Ehrlich of Hollywood, CA, one great grandson, Troy Dassing; one step grandson, Travis Jenkins; a niece, Jo Anne Plyler of Jacksonville, FL. He was preceded in death, in 1998, by his sister, Mary E. Plyler, of Lancaster SC. With the exception of his school years and military service during the war,Dr. Ehrlich really never left home.His office was adjacent to the family ancestral home, built in 1868, at 130 Wylie Street in Chester.His grandfather, Joseph Ehrlich was a well-known and loved businessman, operating Ehrlich's 5, 10 and 25-cent mercantile establishment at 119 Gadsden Street.His father continued the business, and together with his wife opened Ehrlich's Flower Shop in 1940.His great grandmother and two uncles, both Chester merchants, resided on Center Street before the turn of the twentieth century. Dr. Ehrlich was an avid hunter and fisherman. Friends remember him as a soft-spoken, gentle, kind man who spoke ill of no man."Live and let live" was his credo.He will be missed. Dr. Ehrlich is a proud donor to the Gift of Body program of the Medical University of South Carolina. Visitation will be at Barron Funeral Home in Chester, SC from 5:30-7:30 P.M. Wednesday,April 7. Memorials may be made to charity of choice, or to Purity Presbyterian Church, 135 Wylie Street, Chester, SC 29706. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.barronfuneralhome.com. Visitation Wednesday April 7, 2010, 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM at Barron Funeral Home Click for Map and Directions