Kaiser Elias Morcus

A Remarkable Man. An Incredible Life!

June 9, 1933 - June 29, 2023

Kaiser Elias Morcus died peacefully on June 29th, surrounded by his family in Rancho Mirage, CA. Kaiser was a treasured and beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend who dedicated his life to his family and community.

Mr. Morcus was born in Tiberias, Lebanon on June 9, 1933. As the eldest son, he supported his family at the early age of thirteen, after the untimely passing of his father. Kaiser had the honor and privilege of living the classic American Dream. From humble beginnings as an immigrant from Lebanon, Kaiser exemplified the entrepreneurial spirit, promise, opportunity, and success that is and defines America. Wisdom, defined by his natural acumen for business, unparalleled sense of discernment, unyielding tenacity, intelligence, common sense, a relentlessly positive can do and will do attitude, ethics and work ethic and most especially, his positive and contagious spirit defined his success.

In 1956, at age 23, Kaiser came to this country without knowing a word of English and persevered to reach the remarkable success, establishing long standing friendships with iconic celebrities, world renown leaders, including a US President, dignitaries, to esteemed international business leaders throughout Colorado and California. Kaiser's endeavors ranged from a myriad of supermarkets, banking, real estate transactions and development, to ski lodges, apartments, condominiums, time share/fractional/interval ownership, resort projects, restaurants, and full-service resorts. This wealth of experiences spanned from city to small town to world class resorts. In each instance, Mr. Morcus was the founder and visionary; he was a passionate, involved, and detail-oriented director and hands-on leader.

Kaiser treated the housekeeper with the same respect, humility, and dignity he showed Dignitaries and Luminaries. He loved people, was an avid skier, accomplished golfer (he broke many hearts and won many tournaments and bets with his putter, enjoyed food and travel. He was a visionary with an active and sharp mind that was always thinking 20 years ahead. He looked forward and never looked back. His spirit remained positive, generous, and giving throughout. His sense of humor was quick and spontaneous. His razor-sharp mind and character were trademarks.

Mr. Morcus was the founder and spirit of Kaiser Restaurant Group, a privately held family restaurant company developing and operating restaurants in the Coachella Valley, California -- Palm Springs, Palm Desert, La Quinta, Indio; and Carmel-by-the-Sea California. Kaiser's first Coachella Valley restaurant, Kaiser Grille, continues to thrive after 32+ years. The Hog's Breath Inn Carmel is a legendary Carmel icon and institution. Always a man of vision, new ideas and innovation, the desert enjoyed multiple restaurants which Kaiser founded, developed, operated, led, and managed with his sons Lee and Eric, and daughter Sue.

Kaiser will be remembered for countless accomplishments. He was happiest when he was surrounded by his family; they were his ultimate love, pride, joy, and true legacy - His beloved wife, Claudia, (they met June 2, 1979), and his children; Lee, Sue, Mark and Eric, and Claudia's children -- Ross and JoHanna (who he helped raise from childhood) and all his grandchildren. Kaiser and Claudia enjoyed a blessed and full life together filled with a close and loving family and many cherished friends. From Vail Colorado to the California Desert, and Carmel-by-the-Sea, life was abundant, joyful, and well lived. Blessings were abundant and generous. The lessons passed to the family remain deeply more powerful than simply business; they were about life, attitudes, character, and ways of living. His love was deep, profound, and unwavering. Kaiser adored his children and grandchildren immensely. He inspired, motivated, modeled and helped mold lives in ways that he hoped would become immense, fulfilled, generous, limitless, and rich (well beyond money).

Kaiser is preceded in death by his first wife, Rosaline S. Morcus (d. 2013) the loving mother of his four children. Kaiser is survived by his wife, Claudia K. Morcus and his children, Elias Kaiser 'Lee" Morcus, Suzanne Marie Morcus-Fee (Samuel), Mark Anthony Morcus (Laura), Eric Thomas Morcus (Tina), Ross A. Levison (Tony) and JoHanna Levison-Kittner (Robert) and grandchildren, Allison, Arianna Elise, Tiana, Christian, Christina, Jonah, Jett, and Charley. He is also survived by his younger brother, Samuel Morcus and his family who reside in Lebanon.

In Kaiser's honor, the family suggests you take your family out for a lovely dinner together.

Kaiser is deeply missed and forever loved.

"... for a time is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out...." ~John 5:28-29.

"The Lord watch between me and thee when we are absent one from another.'" Genesis 31:48-49.

Visitation will begin at 2:00pm on Wednesday, July 19, 2023 with a Rosary at 5:00 pm at Forest Lawn Cathedral City, 69855 Ramon Rd, Cathedral City. The Funeral mass will be on Thursday, July 20, 2023, at 10:00 am at Sacred Heart Church, 43775 Deep Canyon Rd, Palm Desert. The Private Interment will follow at Desert Memorial Park in Cathedral City.

You may sign the online guestbook at https://obituaries.forestlawn.com/obituaries/kaiser-morcus

The family suggests that in lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in the name of Kaiser Morcus to any of the following:

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital: https://www.stjude.org/

American Heart Association: https://www.heart.org/en/

FIND Food Bank: https://findfoodbank.org