by Steve Mitchell and Christy Solo
Recently Shady Cove Councilor Steve Mitchell’s interest was piqued by a bit of history that had nothing to do with city business and everything to do with some area history.
Following is Mitchell’s story; following that is a bit of extra research done by the Upper Rogue Independent.
Mitchell’s story:
Pictured is a thermometer sign located in the City of Shady Cove future park. The park is located across the street from Chase Bank in downtown Shady Cove. The sign has always interested me since it reads that “your TV Weatherman is Conger-Morris Funeral Directors.”
The thermometer itself has not worked for the 25 years that I’ve been in Shady Cove. Finally, I took a picture of it and went to Conger-Morris Funeral home in Medford and met the owner Bob Neff who explained to me the background on this sign.
Neff said the sign was installed around 1955 and [Carlos Morris was] the TV weatherman for KOBI5 (then KBES) until 1985, that’s 30 years. Neff also said that these signs were located all over the Rogue Valley so that Morris could call someone at the location of the sign to give him the temperature for reporting the weather. It appears this is the only remaining thermometer sign in the Rogue Valley.
I recently cleaned the moving parts on the thermometer sign, which is porcelain, and is about 71 years old, so it is now functioning as it should. Neff has agreed to pay for the painting of the metal pole and a brace for the sign.
URI additional information:
With Mitchell’s skill at restoring vintage autos, it’s no wonder he also had the skills to get the iconic sign back in working order.
Conger-Morris is one of the oldest funeral homes in the Rogue Valley and they really knew how to diversify and advertise their business back in the day.
Carlos Morris was indeed the weatherman for KBES (now KOBI TV) and he used that job to promote the funeral home. Morris’s “Your TV Weatherman” slogan was on all the funeral home’s advertisements, as well as the thermometers. Morris also donated pencils to local schools, including Butte Falls – with the “Conger-Morris” logo so self promotion, but a donation nonetheless.
Morris could have taught a masterclass on advertising.
Additionally, Morris ran for Coroner on top of all his other obligations.
Despite Morris’ obvious drive, those who remember him do so fondly. He somehow found time in his schedule for friends and family in between his multiple jobs and brainstorming new advertising ideas.
We’ll leave you with some quotes about Morris and now thanks to he and Mitchell we’ll always know the temperature in Shady Cove.
“Mr. Morris was very invested in the youth of the valley. He frequently sent handwritten notes to students and/or parents of students who had achieved some goal or accomplishment. I still have mine. I remember being so impressed that someone I didn’t know had noticed what I had accomplished.”
“He gave us Hershey bars at Halloween. I think they were full size too, they didn’t have the tiny ones they sell today. I was impressed.”
“Carlos also sent to our family anything in the newspaper about our family and it was always laminated for keeping forever.”
