Rev. Morse A. Later - 74, a Catholic priest who served in the Diocese of Boise for 45 years, died June 1, 2000, while on a trip to Sacramento, California, visiting friends. Vigil services planned by the Deacons of the Diocese of Boise will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 7, 2000, at St. Mark's Catholic Church at 7503 Northview St. in Boise. Funeral Mass with Very Reverend Michael P. Driscoll presiding, will take place at 10 a.m. Thursday, June 8, 2000, at St. John the Evangelist Cathedral at 804 N. Ninth St. in Boise. Reverend William Taylor will deliver the homily. Mass of Christian Burial will take place at noon Monday, June 12, 2000, at Holy Rosary Church in Idaho Falls, with the Reverend Michael St. Marie presiding. Burial will follow at Shelton Cemetery in Ririe, Idaho. Services are under the direction of Gibson Funeral Home in Boise. People will most remember Father Later for his work in teaching and training deacons in the Diocese of Boise, and for the Thanksgiving Ecumenical Service at St. John's Cathedral that brought a broad range of civic and church leaders and people of all faiths together from the early 1980's to 1995 to worship and offer thanksgiving to God. He will also be remembered for his contributions as a Chaplain at St. Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise, for his great love of the Roman Catholic Church, and for his knowledge and love of history. Friends said he considered himself "The Last of the Colorful Priests." He was well-traveled and very well read. He didn't hesitate to make his opinions known to others, he loved to entertain and treat his friends to special meals that he prepared himself, and he enjoyed puttering in the garden. Because of his great respect and love for his mother who raised him, Father Later several years ago made it known that he would be buried next to her in Ririe, Idaho, where he grew up. His tombstone has been in place for years, complete with a statue of the Risen Christ and an epitaph. He loved to tell people the epitaph he chose. It reads: "He had a grand time." Born May 8, 1926, in Idaho Falls, to Maldon Peter and Ethyl Leora Morse Later, Father Later converted to the Catholic faith at a young age. During World War II, he served two years in the U.S. Navy. Later, he attended St. Edward's Seminary in Kenmore, Washington, and was ordained to the priesthood May 14, 1955. His first assignment was as assistant at St. John's Cathedral and working at the Chancery on a history of the Diocese of Boise. His parish assignment over the years included St. Edward's Parish in Twin Falls, St. Bernard's in Blackfoot, nine years at Blessed Sacrament in Aberdeen, and pastor of St. Mark's Parish in Boise from 1970 to 1974. For the last 20 years, he served the Catholic community at St. Joseph's in Idaho City. He earned a master's degree in Sacred Theology at Catholic University in Washington, D.C., in 1970, and did further graduate work in Theology at Catholic University. Father Later was appointed Chaplain at St. Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise in 1976, where he served until his retirement in 1996. His special Diocesan appointments and honors included Confraternity of Christian Doctrine Director; Director of Physicians and Hospital Director; Permanent Diaconate Program Instructor; Clergy Trust and Retirement Fund member and chairman; Consultor for Permanent Deacons; Director of Health Care Ministry, and Diocesan Ecumenical Officer. (Bio info provided by Contributor #47061806).