Slain car dealer also dealt in souls

A man who was killed at a Durham car lot wasn't shy about showing his spiritual side

DURHAM -- The last time James P. Morris sent God's praise over the airwaves of the Christian radio station where he hosted a show each Sunday, his words sounded almost like a premonition.

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; but I have come that they may have life, and have it more abundantly," Morris read from the Gospel of John, in a carefully paced drawl.

Morris, the 77-year-old owner of the Growing Motors used car lot at 4416 N. Roxboro St., was killed days later in an apparent robbery. An employee found him in his office Friday morning. He had been beaten to death.

One of the cars from the lot, a 1990 white Oldsmobile Toronado, was taken. The man's family is pleading for the public to watch for the car, and the killer.

Morris' family sat in the living room of a Raleigh home Tuesday, pulling out old photos of the man they called "J.P." The snapshots showed him posing in his signature black fedora, getting sweet kisses from his granddaughter and reading the newspaper -- a daily habit. A stereo played recordings of Morris' radio show: "Words of Inspiration."

Every Sunday for more than 20 years, Morris went to the office of WPJL (1240 AM) for his 15-minute program, stopped by a Biscuitville to get a sausage biscuit, then went to First Assembly of God Church where he was a member. Once a month, he took his ministry to the Raleigh jail and preached to inmates.

During the week, Morris focused on his other passion -- selling cars. For more than 20 years, Morris ran Growing Motors on North Roxboro Street.

The man's family, particularly Morris' daughter, suggested Morris move his business to a safer area. There had been robberies at neighboring businesses, including the 2005 robbery and killing of convenience store clerk Crayton Nelms at the Kangaroo gas station just steps away.

But Morris loved Durham. According to his family, Durham loved him, too.

"For as small as an operation as he had, much of his business relied on repeat customers," said Morris' son, Reggie Morris of Nashville, Tenn. He had a solid reputation and the trust of the public, his son said.

"It was very unusual to find a used car salesman who was also a preacher," Reggie Morris said.

Often, his passions overlapped. Morris would hand out Christian literature at his business. Sometimes, he would pray with customers.

In addition to Morris' family, Durham CrimeStoppers (683-1200) is asking the public to call with information and to watch for the missing Oldsmobile. The car is white with a burgundy leather interior and has a state independent dealer tag of 016052 and a vehicle identification number of 1G3EZ13C1LU303129.