Donald Dean Morgan
Passed: October 27, 2020
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Donald Dean Morgan
Passed: October 27, 2020
Obituary
Donald Dean Morgan, 85, of Goodyear, Arizona, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on October 27, 2020. He was born in Columbus Junction, Iowa, on February 22, 1935. He graduated from Columbus Junction High School in 1953 and served in the U.S. Navy and the Naval Reserve for 8 years. He earned his degree in pharmacy from the University of Iowa after discharge from active duty in the Navy.
He married Barbara (Rosene) Morgan in 1954 and they had two daughters, Donna Morgan and Deana (Morgan) Irvine. They moved to Prescott, Arizona in 1963 where Don served as Chief Pharmacist at Yavapai Community Hospital.
Starting in 1973, Don was an officer in the United States Public Health Service for 31 years working in the Indian Health Service. He worked at various locations including San Carlos, Towaoc, Cibecue, Kotzebue, Phoenix, Anchorage, and Denver. He worked as pharmacist, facilities planner and personnel director. He received many medals and awards during his service. After 35 years of Navy and USPHS service, he retired in 2004.
In 1992, he married Rachel (Lopez) Morgan. They resided in Anchorage and Colorado before returning to Arizona and settling in Goodyear in 2005. Since then, they have been members of Avondale Baptist Church (formerly First Southern Baptist Church of Avondale). Don was a deacon in the church and has faithfully served his Lord.
Don was deeply loved by so many. He was an amazing man! He was a kind, loving, patient, funny, generous, gentle man who loved his Lord, his wife, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, extended family, and many, many friends! He loved to spend quality time with his family and friends. He loved to read his Bible and every book on Heaven that he could find.
He loved football, baseball, basketball, board games, card games, movies, reading, traveling, fishing, crossword puzzles, the comics (especially the Sunday comics), Mexican food and ice cream! He was an excellent singer, musician, and actor in his younger years. His life-long dream to visit his ancestral home in Wales came true in 2013, praise God!
He is survived by Rachel Morgan, his wife of 28 years, his daughters Deana Irvine (David) and Donna Morgan, stepdaughter Julieta Noble and stepson Morgan Ellig (Natalie), brother Dave Morgan (Jane), sister Nancy Fischer (Jerry), 11 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, several “adopted” grandchildren (especially in our church), and many cousins, nieces, nephews, and in-laws.
He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Donald Emlyn and Carrol Irene Morgan, and his sisters, Rosalie Reed and Margaret Arnold.
Visitation will be at 10 a.m. on Saturday, November 14, followed by a funeral service at 11 a.m. at Avondale Baptist Church, 1001 N. Central, Avondale, Arizona 85323. Please wear masks and practice social distancing. There will be no reception afterwards. A private interment in the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona on Cave Creek Rd. will take place on Monday, Nov. 16.
Charitable donations may be made in Don’s name to Avondale Baptist Church, http://www.abcaz.net or to Hospice of the Valley, http://www.hov.org/donate.
16 responses to Donald Dean Morgan
Cathy Blehm says:
November 7, 2020
I’m so very sorry to hear of Don’s passing and my thoughts and prayers are with Rachel and his family during this very difficult time. Don came into our lives when life threw both of our families a few curve balls but Don and my husband Rob found themselves roommates during these times and a friendship was formed that I have truly cherished since 2008. A truly wonderful man that will be missed by so many – what a comfort to know we will see him again one day! Lots of love and prayers Rachel !
Rachel Morgan says:
November 21, 2020
Thank you so much, my dear Cathy! Yes, our friendship was indeed forged by very sad circumstances with both of our guys having been in horrendous car accidents, but what a blessing to have met you and Rob and to share in your joy when Rob proposed to you! Now our men are communing in Heaven and we will see them again!
Thank you for your love and your prayers. I miss my sweetheart so much and I can hardly wait to see him again! I am so grateful for our Lord’s wonderful promises!
I do hope that once COVID is done, you and I can get together and catch up on the last few years. I love you, Cathy!
Carol Epps says:
November 8, 2020
I’m so sincerely sorry for your loss Rachel. Don’s warm smile and kind heart will be missed by all who knew him. My condolences are with you and your family.
May he rest in peace.
Carol Epps
Rachel Morgan says:
November 21, 2020
Thank you so much for your love and your prayers, dear Carol! Yes, I loved his smile and his heart and miss him oh, so terribly! But I know that I will see him again when I go to meet my Lord and Savior. Thanks for your precious friendship, Carol! I love you!
Rachel
Katherine Chandler says:
November 9, 2020
Thinking of you Rachel and Donald’s family. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Thinking about your adventures in Alaska.
Rachel Morgan says:
November 21, 2020
Hi, Katherine! What a joy to hear from you!R Been much too long. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. I absolutely loved living in Alaska with my sweetheart! I miss him terribly, but I am rejoicing that he is with Jesus and I will see him again. God bless you, Kathy!
Love,
Rachel
ANNA FISCHER says:
November 11, 2020
My condolences to all the family of Don Morgan. I worked with Don & Dave many years in the USPHS-IHS and knew both well. I have the utmost respect for both brothers, and am saddened to learn of Don’s passing. He was a highly respected professional during his PHS career of which you should be so proud. I appreciated my time in working with both Morgan’s, they were very caring, compassionate and accomplished public health leaders. I am sorry for your loss.
Anna Albert-Fischer
RADM, USPHS (Ret.)
Rachel Morgan says:
November 21, 2020
Thank you, Anna, for your condolences and your precious words about Don and Dave. Those two are not only brothers, but best friends Though Don and I had a lifetime before each other (we married in 1992), I am very aware of the respect that his co-workers had for him. He was an amazing guy and I miss him terribly, but I know that he is with Jesus and I will see him again. Dave is still working as a pharmacist and has been invaluable during Don’s illness. God bless you, Anna!
Rachel
Rachel says:
November 14, 2020
Tia,
We are very sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and Don’s children. Don was a wonderful person , always kind , friendly and a joy to be around. You were wonderful together . We pray that he is resting in peace . We send our love, Rachel , Miguel , Jacob and Alejandro!
Rachel Morgan says:
November 21, 2020
Hi, dear Rachel, Miguel, Jacob, and Alejandro,
Thank you for your love, your prayers, and your precious words! He was indeed an amazingly kind, loving man and I adored him. My heart is broken and I miss him terribly, but I know that he is with Jesus and I will see again!
Love to the four of you!
Tia Rachel