Robert Ellsworth “Bob” Morgan passed away in Ormond Beach, FL, on Friday, October 31, 2014.
He was born March 6, 1935, in Ronceverte, WV, to Clayton and Carmen Morgan.
Bob entered his adventure-filled life in the magical, picturesque hills and mountains of his beloved Greenbrier County, WV. In 1951, the family moved to Florida, where he played football and graduated from Seabreeze High School in Daytona Beach in 1952. After graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He met and married the love of his life, Patsy Carter Morgan, in Charleston, WV, on January 27, 1956.
Bob had a distinguished naval career, where he was recognized for many acts of courage and excellence in the field of air traffic control. During his first 10 years of service, he rose to the enlisted rank of chief petty officer. Then he was commissioned under the Navy’s Limited Duty Officer program, where he progressed to the rank of lieutenant commander. He traveled the far reaches of this planet. He served on carrier duty in the Vietnam War. He also served two tours of duty in Antarctica in the Navy’s support of the Antarctica Expeditionary Program. He retired from the Navy in 1975 and made his home in Meridian, MS, where he transitioned into a career of real estate and rental properties.
Bob loved his family and enjoyed taking the grandchildren to Disney World and other wonderful places for children. His loss leaves a sad void in his family, but they are stronger and wiser people for having experienced the life of this tenaciously independent and (often) demanding, yet loving, man.
He leaves behind his wife, Patsy; daughters, Catherine Abigail Morgan Weathersby and husband, Don, of Pearl, MS, and Linda Lou Morgan Willis of China, TX; son, David Ellsworth Morgan and wife, Tina, of Hattiesburg, MS; nine grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandson; and a brother, Clayton “Bud” Morgan and wife, Emma, of Avon Park, FL.
Viewing and visitation will be on Saturday, November 8, 2014, from 1-2 PM at Wallace & Wallace Funeral Home in Lewisburg, WV, followed by a Graveside service with military honors at 2:30 PM at Riverview Cemetery in Ronceverte, WV.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) or the Disabled American Veterans (DAV).
“Our death is not an end if we can live on in our children and the younger generation. For they are us; our bodies are only wilted leaves on the tree of life.” (Albert Einstein)
Online condolences may be made by visiting www.WallaceandWallace FH.com.
Wallace & Wallace Funeral Home in Lewisburg is in charge of arrangements.
Obituary originally published in the November 3, 2014, edition of the West Virginia Daily News.
