Thomas Jerome Morgan

Thomas Jerome Morgan, 97, passed away on Saturday, November 25, 2023. He was born in Anson County on June 25, 1926, the middle of eleven children of the late Andrew Jackson Morgan and Etta Williams Morgan. He was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Betty Lathan Morgan; four brothers, Charles Morgan, Sam Morgan, Jack Morgan, Pickett Morgan; three sisters, Louise Richardson, Edna Shaeffer, and Ruth Morgan.

Tom graduated from Peachland School in 1943 where he got a Sears-Roebuck scholarship to attend NCSU, receiving his Bachelor of Agronomy degree in 1949. During his college years, he served in the Pacific after V-J Day with the Army Air, rendering him a WWII Veteran and allowing him to finish school under the GI bill. Upon graduating from "State College," Tom served as an extension agent in Union County. Here he developed a life-long practice of beekeeping and led students in 4H club work, remaining close to many of these people throughout their lives. In 1959 Tom began employment with the USDA, retiring in 1991 as Executive Director of the Union County ASCS. Civic activities included membership in the Monroe Lions Club and serving on the board of directors of the Monroe Airport Commission. He often served as a poll worker for many elections. In 2018 he received the Union County Agricultural Hall of Fame award.

Tom had various hobbies, including flying/maintaining an airplane and woodworking in retirement. He loved traveling and renewed his passport at age 93. He read the Charlotte Observer from front to back – making sure to buy one even on vacation. By far his favorite hobby was gardening. (Family members sometimes considered it an obsession.) He could still run a tiller at age 93. He loved his John Deere, telling his grandchildren to listen to it sputter "pocketbook." His vegetables never needed salt because they had already been salted by "the sweat of the brow." One of his favorite crops was popcorn. Many can say they enjoyed a gallon bag from him in the fall.

In his retirement, Tom enjoyed visiting with his fellow flying buddies and going to "the meeting" on Thursdays which began as a weekly lunch with descendants of John Q. and Mary Ann Griffin, later including any friends wanting to join. This continued to be a major highlight of his life up to the coronavirus pandemic and a broken hip in 2020. After his injury, he enjoyed riding in his Jeep through rural Union and Anson counties. There he could relive memories and watch harvests, seeing a soybean harvest the last time he went riding.

He was an inspiration to his family for his work ethic and his service to others. He took care of his parents, his sister, and his wife. He fought to stay active as long as possible.

Tom is survived by his two daughters, Jane Nixon (Rob) and Anne Williams (Brad); two brothers, Craven Morgan (June) and John Morgan (Joyce); sister, Margie Jordan; five grandchildren, Brandon Williams (Anya), Joanna Nixon (Ben Miller), Alex Williams, Sam Nixon, and Addie Nash (Cole); two great-grandchildren, Katya Williams and Leza Williams as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, December 27, 2023, in the Gordon Funeral Chapel; 1904 Lancaster Ave. Monroe, NC 28112. The family will receive friends after the service.

Donations in Tom's memory may be made to the Union County Public Library, 316 E. Windsor St.

Monroe, NC 28112; Union County's Council on Aging, P.O. Box 185, Monroe, NC 28111; or Hospice of Union County, 700 W. Roosevelt Blvd. Monroe, NC 28110.

Online condolences may be made at www.gordonfuneralservice.com.

Gordon Funeral Service and Crematory, 1904 Lancaster Ave, Monroe, NC 28112 is honored to be entrusted to care for the Morgan Family.