We laugh about them now or try to forget those greasy days of stained collars and pillowcases. But anyone who wanted to be urban hip or “funky fresh” in 1980s America wore or desired a Jheri curl.

Morrow, the inventive son of Alabama sharecroppers, died last month at his home in San Diego of pneumonia. He was 82. The barber who pioneered many of the hair care products that became an iconic part ...