Lansing-area man dies of heart attack while mountain biking at Pinckney state park
A Lansing-area man died Sunday on the mountain biking trails at the Pinckney State Recreation Area.
John Morlock, 67, of Laingsburg, was mountain biking with his son, Zachary-John Morlock, 17, and stepson, Scott Brenton, 25, on Sunday afternoon when he is believed to have suffered a massive heart attack and died. Morlock had suffered a heart attack 17 years prior, according to Sgt. Geoffrey Fox of the Washtenaw County Sheriff's Department.
Brenton and Zachary-John went to retrieve help at the park's office and call 9-1-1 while passers-by attended to him. A nurse who was in the area performed CPR.
The 9-1-1 call came in at 4:01 p.m. and Huron Valley Ambulance and the Dexter Fire Department responded to the scene to find Morlock not breathing and without a heartbeat. Morlock was pronounced dead on the scene after rescuers attempted to revive him for 45 minutes.
"He was a respected physician and patient advocate. He loved the out of doors and especially enjoyed cycling. John was an extremely unique individual who loved life and his family with a fierce devotion," an obituary said.
Visitation will be held from 2-4 p.m. and from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes' East Chapel, 1730 E. Grand River Ave. in East Lansing. A funeral service will be held on Thursday at 5 p.m. at the chapel.
Contact Pete Cunningham at petercuningham@annarbor.com or by phone at 734-623-2561. Follow him on Twitter @petcunningham.
Comments
Tru2Blu76
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 1:25 a.m.
One more reason to get regular checkups. My heart attack came out of the blue on May 13th. Lucky for me, I had my cell phone and adequate time, I just dialed 911 and asked for an ambulance. If it had started one hour later, I'd probably have died riding my bicycle on the way home. I was tested and they found I had already had two heart attacks (which I basically ignored and didn't remember). Just a note to young people who're just getting started with cigarettes: stop now. You have no idea how much long term damage is done to your cardiovascular system until (if you're lucky) tests find you're standing on the edge of your own grave. And sadly, there are no exceptions for doctors or upstanding people like Dr. Morlock. My sincere sympathy goes out to his family.
KINGofSKA
Wed, Jun 13, 2012 : 3:20 a.m.
I can only imagine what his son and stepson must be goin through. But, we can atleast say he went doing what he loved doing. My thoughts and prayers go to his loved one.