Johnny Morris (businessman)
John L. Morris | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1948 Springfield, Missouri, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Entrepreneur, businessman |
| Years active | 1972–present |
| Known for | Founder, principal owner, and CEO of Bass Pro Shops |
| Notable work | Bass Pro Shops, White River Marine Group, Big Cedar Lodge, Top of the Rock, Cabela's |
John L. Morris (born 1948) is an American entrepreneur and billionaire, recognized as the founder, principal owner, and CEO of Bass Pro Shops, a prominent retail chain specializing in hunting and fishing across the US and Canada. As of August 2024, his estimated net worth stood at approximately US$9.9 billion. Additionally, Morris holds ownership of White River Marine Group, Top of the Rock, Big Cedar Lodge, and Cabela's.
Early life
Morris was born in 1948 in Springfield, Missouri and grew up in a family deeply engaged in hunting and fishing, influenced by his father’s service during World War II. He completed his education at Glendale High School before attending Drury University to study business, often jokingly describing his education as having "majored in fishing."
Career
In 1972, Morris established Bass Pro Shops by initially vending fishing equipment from the rear of his father’s Brown Derby liquor store located in Springfield. He is also responsible for founding the White River Marine Group.
The acquisition of land in 1987 led to the creation of Big Cedar Lodge, which has expanded into a 4,600-acre resort acclaimed as the "#1 Resort in the Midwest" by Travel + Leisure.
In 2017, Morris launched the Wonders of Wildlife Museum & Aquarium in Springfield to complement Bass Pro Shops' main store. That year also marked Bass Pro’s $4 billion purchase of rival outdoor retailer Cabela's.
For their contributions to conservation, Morris and his family were awarded the Audubon Medal in 2019. In 2023, he received the Old Tom Morris Award from the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, recognizing his dedication to golf and environmental stewardship.
Morris also founded Top of the Rock golf course in Branson, Missouri, known for its extensive collection of Native American artifacts. The golf course experienced a significant sinkhole incident in 2016.
Political activity
Since 1992, Morris has been a consistent financial supporter of Republican candidates and committees. Notably, he donated $200,000 to Donald Trump's 2020 presidential campaign and has provided substantial funding to Republican-aligned political action committees.
Personal life
Morris is married with four children and resides in Springfield, Missouri.