Philip Morrow, 97, who served in Korea and led local banks, dies in Washington
The former Mellon Bank executive and Westmoreland County board member passed away Nov. 2, leaving behind four children and three grandchildren.
By William Turner ·
Philip Mitchell Morrow, 97, died Monday, Nov. 2, 2026, at Strabane Woods of Washington. He resided in Canonsburg for the final years of his life, having moved there from Rostraver Township. His death concludes a career that spanned military service in Korea and decades of leadership in the banking and civic sectors of Western Pennsylvania.
Born in Pittsburgh on April 30, 1929, Morrow was the son of Floyd and Maude Sprowls Morrow. He graduated from Peters Township High School in 1947. In 1952, he was drafted into the U.S. Army, serving as a sergeant in the Medical Corps of the 14th Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, during the Korean War. He received his discharge in 1954 at Fort George G. Meade, Md.
Following his military service, Morrow began a long career in finance. He worked at Western Pennsylvania National Bank and its Belle Vernon branch before joining Mellon Bank. At Mellon, he served as an assistant manager for locations in Charleroi, Brentwood, and White Oak. He later held a position at Landmark Savings and Loan in Latrobe until retiring in 1991.
Morrow was active in community organizations, including the Belle Vernon American Legion Post 659, VFW Post 699, and the Belle Vernon Rotary Club. He served on the boards of the Drug and Alcohol Commission of Westmoreland County, the Westmoreland County Airport Authority, Southwestern PA Human Services, and Mon Valley United Way. He was also a member of the Mon Valley Country Club and the Sunset Lodge No. 237 F&AM of Washington.
He was an elder at the First Presbyterian Church in Belle Vernon. In 2012, he and his wife, Leatha, moved to Washington. The couple, who married in 1950, subsequently joined the Chartiers Hill United Presbyterian Church in Canonsburg. Leatha, née Watka, died in 2023, ending a 73-year marriage.
Morrow is survived by his children, Phyllis Sams, Mitch Morrow, John Morrow, and Bob Morrow. He leaves three grandchildren: Hannah Kohler, Everett Morrow, and Bryce Morrow. Friends are scheduled to be received from 2 to
The funeral home arrangements include a gathering for friends and family to honor his life. The specific dates and times for the formal services were not fully detailed in the initial notice, though the reception period is set for the afternoon.
