SCHAUMBURG, Ill. John Morrison, a respected sales executive at Motor Coach Industries and popular figure in the industry, died Sept. 22 after a long bout with cancer. He was 51.

Mr. Morrison was a member of a distinguished bus industry family that operated a motorcoach business in St. Louis founded by his great-grandfather and grandfather. Mr. Morrison cut his industry teeth in that business.

"John's leadership style and selfless personality made him a friend of many in the industry and at MCI," said Tom Sorrells, MCI president and CEO. "He gave more than 100 percent to MCI and to all who knew him. His death is a sad loss for all of us at MCI, and we extend our deepest sympathy to his family."

Mr. Morrison joined MCI in 1993 as a regional sales manager and became regional vice president of sales. Subsequently, he became a product line manager and assisted with the launch of two MCI models.

Early in this decade, Mr. Morrison moved into information technology, directing and expanding the development of MCI's IT capabilities.

During the years he led the IT function, Mr. Morrison was responsible for e-sales, online warranty and parts tracking, IT service for company service centers, and logistics integration at the MCI Louisville parts warehouse.

In early 2005, Mr. Morrison returned to sales when he was named to head MCIs pre-owned coach sales program as company vice president. In that position, he was responsible for used coach sales at all MCI locations in the U.S. and Canada, and pushed development of the company certified pre-owned coach program.

Despite the change in responsibilities, he continued his interest in information technology, expanding MCI's electronic used-coach marketing program, as well as its conventional sales and leasing programs.

Invariably described by colleagues and peers as a gentleman, Mr. Morrison was respected for bringing knowledge and talent to his work. He is credited with taking MCI's IT capabilities to a higher level and doing the same for the pre-owned coach division. He understood operators' expectations and ways he could help meet them.

Mr. Morrison and his wife, Deb, made their home in suburban Chicago.

In addition to his widow, Mr. Morrison is survived by his brother Jim, a senior executive at ABC Companies.