Kent Morgan Obituary

Kent Stanley Morgan, 78, of Bradenton, Florida, passed away peacefully at home on July 21, 2024, surrounded by his wife and three daughters. He took his final breath while holding hands with those who loved him most.

Kent was born in Waukegan, Illinois on January 27, 1946, to Adrion Charles Morgan and Carla Jensen Morgan. He cherished his upbringing in Libertyville, Illinois, where he graduated from Libertyville High School in 1964. Kent had fond memories of water skiing with his buddies, driving his 1929 Pontiac in local parades, attending Boys State, and being a lifeguard and camp counselor at Adler Park.

He graduated from MacMurray College, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics, and worked for the Illinois Board of Higher Education in Chicago. While living in Evanston, Kent enjoyed sailing on Lake Michigan and riding his Triumph motorcycle to both coasts of the US.

He returned to graduate school at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana, where he earned his MBA, with a major in Organizational Development. It was there he met Susan, who became his wife and best friend for the next 50 years. Upon graduation he was recruited to work for the Human Resources Division of The Upjohn Pharmaceutical Company in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Kent retired from the Medical Affairs Division and enjoyed living in Kalamazoo for over 30 years, where he and his family created many lasting memories.

Among his many blessings in life, Kent always believed his greatest was his family. He was a loving husband, a doting father, and a proud grandfather. His positive outlook on life, adventurous spirit, and warm, empathetic nature were evident in all aspects of his life. He shared his love for water skiing, downhill skiing, sailing, backpacking, hiking, photography, and music with his family. He was an exceptional videographer, woodworker, remote control glider builder, and "master fixer" of all things. He spent his life volunteering with numerous non-profit organizations, both in Kalamazoo and Sarasota. As a grandfather, Kent adored his six grandchildren, often spending countless hours babysitting and entertaining them with his "Donald Duck" voice, despite having grandkids in three different corners of the country.

In 2005, Kent and Susan became "snowbirds," dividing their time between Holland, Michigan and Sarasota, Florida. Summers were spent sailing the Great Lakes and Canada, while winters were spent enjoying Siesta Key Beach and the gulf coast. After becoming full-time Florida residents, Kent and Susan enjoyed traveling, attending the theater and cabaret performances, exploring new cuisines, and game nights and gatherings with friends. Kent was always eager to learn new things and to help others do the same. In retirement, he channeled his passion for technology and applied his computer skills to teaching hundreds of adult students about the latest Apple products and software.

Kent was preceded in death by his beloved parents; his sister, Sally Schmidt; and his grandson, Knox VanEck.

He is survived by his wife, Susan Yaden Morgan; their three daughters, Jennifer Cuhaciyan (Christopher) of Boise, Idaho, Lindsay Hartzog (Michael) of Tampa, Florida, and Rachel Morgan VanEck (Matt) of West Hartford, Connecticut; six grandchildren, Sophie Cuhaciyan, Ellie Cuhaciyan, Grayson Hartzog, Cooper Hartzog, Jett VanEck, and Arden VanEck; brother-in-law, Michael Schmidt of Libertyville, Illinois; and nieces and nephews, Diane Carpenter (David), Julie Jilek, Michael Schmidt, Jr., and Jay Schmidt.

A celebration of Kent's life will be held in Holland, Michigan at a later date.

If you would like to honor his passing, please make a donation to the Tidewell Hospice Foundation at 3550 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34239, or to your favorite charity, in his memory.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Daily Herald on Sep. 1, 2024.

Memories and Condolences
for Kent Morgan

Sponsored by Daily Herald.

9 Entries

Michael R. Schmidt

August 29, 2024

Kent with his 1984ish vintage Macintosh computer in the summer of 1988.

Michael R. Schmidt

August 29, 2024

I have so many great memories of Uncle Kent. I remember when I was little, we were in a boat, I don´t remember where, but I think it was a small lake in Lake County? The motor broke down He was so strong he got into the water and pulled the boat to shore while swimming and treading water. I remember when he gave me an enlarger so I could learn to make photographic prints. I Remember he could walk on his hands in my grandparents living room. I remember his iguana I believe at his apartment in Evanston before he went to graduate school. He always gave us the coolest Christmas gifts. We would go to his house in Michigan for a second Christmas for several years around the new year with his wife and three little daughters who are all in successful careers now. We used to bang pots and pans outside their front door at midnight on New Year´s Eve/Day. Those are the memories that pop into my head for now anyway. I really miss him. He was always very happy, cheerful, intelligent and wise.

Steve Miller

August 28, 2024

I met Kent when we were both still young bachelors in Kalamazoo, MI. He had a garage next to mine and was working on his motorcycle. I had an old dirt bike and he helped me rebuild it. We became great friends and spent a lot of time on the motorcycles together, including a number of motorcycle trips to the Lake Michigan shore. After we were both married, we remained good friends until we moved away from Kalamazoo. Over the years, we drifted apart physically, but I always enjoyed long "Catch-up" telephone calls. I uploaded a picture of Kent carrying Andrew, my six-month-old son at the Kalamazoo County Fair. We haven't spoken much in the last few years, but I will miss knowing he is out there. RIP, old friend.

Lindsay Morgan Hartzog

August 28, 2024

My father passed away surrounded by my mother, sisters and me. I´m forever grateful that we were able to hold his hands as he transitioned. Thanks to Jennifer´s musical talents she played Pink Floyd´s "Wish You Were Here" and John Denver´s "Annie´s Song" (my parents´ wedding song) on my dad´s beloved guitar during his final hours. If you were a childhood friend of the Morgan girls, my dad likely taught you how to water ski. If you were high school friends, you probably have memories of holding on for dear life as Captain Morgan hoisted the sails and raced an unsuspecting dot in the horizon. He was known for his "crazy dinners," now more commonly called a charcuterie board. He took great pride in his workshop that housed the shiniest power tools and the comfiest corduroy chair. He taught us early on that the best Christmas gifts were made with a scroll saw, thereby teaching our little hands how to use one. He was a wonderful example of the type of husband that my sisters and I should marry one day. We´re incredibly thankful that he was ours. We have appreciated all the cards and gestures of kindness that have been happy glimmers as we integrate this grief into our lives. Smooth sailing, Captain Morgan... we love you gobs and gobs.