Samuel A.L. Morgan Jr.

MORGAN, Samuel A.L., Jr.
Born Dec. 30, 1922 in Wichita Falls, Texas to Verna Johnson and S.A.L. Morgan. Passed away Dec. 27, 2003 in Los Angeles. Sam graduated with honors from Kemper Military Academy in 1939, attended Lake Forest Academy for postgraduate studies, then entered Northwestern University in 1941, where he met his future bride, Marjorie. They were married in July 1944 prior to leaving for 18 months of service in the Navy during World War II. He served again for one year during the Korean War. After graduating from Northwestern in 1947, he entered the advertising business, from which he retired in 1985 as Senior VP at Benton and Bowles Agency. Sam's retirement lasted for less than three months. Even though he was an avid photographer, outdoorsman and reader, he began his second career as a consultant for nonprofit organizations. He served as Marketing Director for Second Careers, and in Volunteer Center Programs such as Foster Grandparents, Senior Companions and the Alternative Sentencing Programs. A gifted storyteller, at age 74 Sam became a published writer through Emeritus College of Santa Monica. To the delight of his peers, children and grandchildren, he specialized in autobiographical stories of the adventuresome life he led growing up in the dusty cattle and oil-rich Panhandle of Texas. He appeared on stage and television with other writers from class reading their varied and moving war remembrances. Survived by his beloved wife of 60 years, Marjorie, his loyal sons David and Tom Morgan, his loving daughter Nancy Morgan Ritter, daughters-in-law Debbie and Alicia, nine grandchildren, Jason, Carly, and Tyler Ritter, Cary, Dana, Evan, Sam, James and Nancy Leigh Morgan, and his sister Mary Tom Crain of Amarillo, Texas. Brother John Cary Morgan and sister Sally Morgan Fitzgerald preceded him in death. Services were held at Forest Lawn-Hollywood Hills on Dec. 31, and were officiated by Dr. Maya Brandenberger of Unity-by-the-Sea Church of Santa Monica. Donations will be gratefully accepted in Sam's memory by Emeritus College, 1227 2nd St., Santa Monica, CA 90401.