Obituary of James Morgan

James Anthony Morgan A Life Well Lived James Anthony Morgan, aged 76, was born in Sulphur Springs, Texas on October 1, 1943, and passed away on May 24, 2020 in Dallas, Texas. James was the oldest of three sons born to Ruby and Tony Morgan. He graduated from Mount Pleasant High School in Mount Pleasant, Texas, in 1962. James was an outstanding athlete, lettering in football and baseball. A natural leader, he served as president of the senior class and captain of the high school football team. He spent his freshman year at University of Texas in Austin and the rest of his college years at East Texas State University in Commerce, where he was active in Kappa Alpha fraternity, Gamma Upsilon Chapter and graduated in 1967. While at East Texas, James met the love of his life, Marilyn Heath, and they married on September 28, 1968. They raised two children, Holly Lynne Morgan of Dallas, and Jay Anthony Morgan, of Austin, and were married for fifty-one years. James loved his family, and especially his grandchildren Decker and Ellis Morgan, who called him “Dupaw”. He had a natural sense of humor and a spontaneous wit, brightening up life for those around him. There was nothing insensitive about his humor; he was always gentle and caring. James was gregarious and funny, a second dad and favorite uncle to every kid in their family. Whether it was on the football field or workplace, James was so well liked. He was a great friend who genuinely cared about people. One of his best friends said, “If there was an award or contest, James won it—best all around, class favorite every year, and Mr. Mt. Pleasant High School.” Besides being an outstanding athlete, James loved music and singing. He had a leading role in the MPHS Choir’s Quartet, The Rhythmaires. Even as he got older, he was in New Song, the senior choir at Wilshire Baptist Church in Dallas. James spent his career in corporate real estate, at Corrigan Properties, Burger King Corporation and then as Director of Real Estate for Sally Beauty Company. He served in the Army Reserves for 6 years. He is preceded in death by his parents, Ruby and Tony Morgan and two brothers Charlie and Frankie Morgan. He is survived by his wife Marilyn, daughter Holly, and son Jay, two grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews, great nieces and great nephews who adored Uncle James. He’ll be greatly missed by his family and friends, by their dachshunds Homer and Emily, adoptee Zena, Robert and Katie. James will be put to rest at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 2 at Nelta Cemetery in Nelta, Texas, with a memorial service following at Sulphur Bluff Methodist Church nearby. If you’d like to make a contribution in James’ name to Friday Friends, a respite program for Alzheimer’s patients and their caregivers founded by Marilyn at Wilshire Baptist Church, 4316 Abrams Rd, Dallas, TX 75214.