Richard Morgan

1935 - 2024

Richard Morgan

October 13, 1935 - June 11, 2024

Durham, North Carolina - Richard Morgan, age 88, died in his home on June 11, 2024 surrounded by his family. He was born on October 13, 1935 in Sanford, NC to the late Helen Wood Morgan Speed and Rufus Reese Morgan.

Richard grew up in downtown Durham with his three older sisters, his mother and grandmother, along with his equally outnumbered father. His family raised Richard to be the wonderful person we knew and loved - warm, gentle and kind, quick to hug, ready to help, an eternal optimist who saw possibilities, not impossibilities, and someone who touched the heart of everyone he met.

Richard played football at Durham High School and graduated from Duke University, where he majored in history. He also played football at Duke, was a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity, a Red Friar, and in the Naval ROTC.

After graduation in 1958, he married Nancy Darling and joined the Marine Corps, where he served from 1958-1961 and then volunteered to reenlist in 1964. He served at the 12th Marine Headquarters in Danang, Vietnam, where he was first a Senior Aerial Observer and then a Chief Intelligence Officer for the 3rd Marine Division. In this role, he ran the Chieu Hoi program to repatriate North Vietnamese defectors. Richard received multiple medals including the Distinguished Flying Cross for his actions during the war. He then transferred to Admiral Welch's staff in Norfolk, VA before leaving the service as a Major.

While in Vietnam, a chance meeting with his translator's wife who had a gift store in Okinawa inspired his vision for Morgan Imports. He wanted to bring interesting, unique products that represented different cultures to Durham. With little experience and lots of hope and determination, he opened the first store in 1969 on Main Street. For the next 51 years, Morgan Imports was a Durham institution and at the vanguard of the revival of downtown Durham.

Richard contributed to Durham's vitality in numerous other ways, serving on the boards of Downtown Durham Inc., Carolina Theater, Durham Arts Council, and Preservation Durham.

After Richard retired at age 85, he spent his time loving his family, enjoying Durham High Forever and the Durham Sports Club, and creating beautiful spaces. He finalized plans for his last project the day he died.

Richard is survived by his wife of 43 years, Jacqueline Gonzalez Morgan, his daughter, Lauri Morgan Norman (Rob), his son, Richard Wood Morgan Jr. (Blair), his stepdaughter, Rachel Erickson Hee (Andrew), his grandchildren, Matthew Stansell (Andi), Jane Morgan, Richard Wood Morgan III, Davis Morgan, Lee Winchester (Allison), Ethan Norman (Macy), Annabelle Hee and Alex Hee, and his great-grandson, James Winchester. Richard was preceded in death by his grandson, Andrew Stansell and his three sisters, Joann Wedel, Shirley Rigsbee, and Carol Couch.

A celebration of his life will be held on Sunday, June 23 from 3:30 to 6:00 pm. The ceremony begins at 4:00 pm, and the location is The Fruit, where Richard's father worked. The address is 305 South Dillard St. Durham, NC 27701. Casual attire welcome or as Richard would expect to see you.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the following organizations: Durham Rescue Mission P.O. Box 11368 Durham, NC 27703 www.durhamrescuemission.org.

Senior PharmAssist 406 Rigsbee Ave. Suite 201 Durham, NC 27701 www.seniorpharmaassist.org,

American Dance Festival Box 90772 Durham, NC 27708 www.americandancefestival.org.

The Morgan family is under the care of Hall-Wynne Funeral Service. A full obituary is posted at www.hallwynne.com.