Jim Morgan

1928 - 2017

Jimmie Lee "Jim" Morgan, died Jan. 24, 2017 in Hemet, California of age related causes at 88.

He was born December 21, 1928, in Seminole, Oklahoma to James Henry "Jim" Morgan and Mabel "May" Chaney. He was married to his loving wife, friend and partner Jacquelyn (Price) Haney, "Jacque".

He served in the United States Army during the Korean War, from 1952 thru 1954, as a heavy equipment operator in H&S Company, 844th Engineer AVN Battalion, Beale AFB, California and awarded an honorable discharge upon release from his tour of duty.

Jim came to Springfield, Oregon in 1947, working as a sawyer in the lumber industry until becoming a used car dealer in 1965. Literally starting with one car, he grew the business, JL Morgan Motors, to be very successful. He developed a reputation as the most honest used car dealer in the area and obtained the nickname "Fairly Honest Jim". He retired in 1992 but continued by helping his son, Tim, learn and develop the business which is a staple in the car dealership business to this day. He was very proud to make the claim that he had been in the business for 52 years.

Jim and Jacque worked, played and thoroughly enjoyed life together. Since their first meeting and that very first dance - they were inseparable. They enjoyed salmon fishing on the Oregon coast, which with the beautiful boats to do it all, became his main hobby for over fifty years. And, since country western music was their favorite, they loved to swing dance on "date night" every week, while wearing matching western outfits. For the past 25 years they were "snowbirds" spending their summer months in Springfield, Oregon, and their winter months in Hemet, California. It was there that Jacque taught Jim how to play the game of golf. And, although he became an avid golfer and playing mostly with Jacque, he always claimed "she only taught me enough so she could still beat me".

If you had the chance to meet him or were his friend, you know, Jim had a vivacious personality, a big smile, loved to laugh and was always friendly to people who crossed his path. At the age of 88, he was still full of energy and always accomplishing something. He loved to tell people, "He was the nicest guy you would ever meet," with a big grin on his face. He will be deeply missed by his family and all of the people whose lives he touched.

Survivors include his wife Jacque Morgan; a son, Timothy Lee Morgan (and partner Kelly Heeding) of Springfield; a step-son, Roger Haney (and wife Melissa Nolledo) of Eugene; a step-daughter, Carol (Haney) Ellis (and husband Michael Ellis) of Eugene; and two grandsons, Casey Brian Brinkman-Morgan of Eugene and Dallas Lee Morgan of Springfield. A former wife and mother to his son, Maryline Mae (Reichert) Morgan had died previously.

No services are planned, however, the family has asked that you send your favorite memory of Jim to Jacque, in care of Carol Ellis, at P. O. Box 40277, Eugene, OR. 97404. You can also email your favorite memories to
jlmorgan9@gmail.com