James Gerald Morgan

MORGAN James Gerald Morgan, MD, "Jerry", died peacefully on December 3, 2009 in Reno, Nevada. He was 93 years old and had lived a long, productive and blessed life. James Gerald Morgan was born to James and Clara Morgan on March 25, 1916. He was the youngest of seven children. As an accomplished musician he worked his way through Wilberforce University. After graduation, he was a band leader and played throughout the midwest. He subsequently became a music teacher in Tennessee, where he met Vesta Martin. They were married in Chattanooga, TN. Shortly there after, he served in WWII as a Master Sergeant. After the war he went to Law School for two days, then subsequently enrolled and completed Meharry Medical College. Jerry and Vesta eventually settled in Columbus, OH where he practiced Family Medicine for over 30 years. Jerry was an extraordinary man; an astute listener who demonstrated a considerate, wise and caring demeanor; never to be forgotten by his patients. He loved God and loved his family and medicine. At 74, he retired from medicine and learned to play the organ, taking lessons at Capital University. In 1999 he and his wife, Vesta, moved to Reno to be close to his son and family. There he served as a church organist until he was 90 years old. Other family members who preceded him in death were sisters Myrle Rush, Genevra Hunter, Mattie Morgan, Elsie Morgan, Lula Howard, brother George and nephew Rev. Cecil Howard. He is survived by son, Jay, who followed in his field of medicine and daughter-in-law, Sherry; along with grandsons, Jayson, Justin, Austin; and many other family and friends. A Celebration of Life Reception for Jerry and Vesta Morgan will be held on Sunday January 31, 2010 from 2-4:30 p.m. at St. Paul's AME Church Wellness Center, 112 Jefferson Avenue, Columbus, OH 43215.