Vernon O. Morgan

1926 - 2019
Vernon Owen Morgan was born on Sunday, June 20, 1926 in New York City. He was the son and only child of the late Frieda (Fleda) Elsima Morgan (nee Newman) of Spice Grove, Manchester Parish, Jamaica, West Indies and Vernal Owen Morgan of Bocas del Toro Province, Panama. His birth name was Vernal Owen Morgan and we came to know him as Vernon, a name given to him while attending New York City public schools during his youth. Vernon peacefully surrendered to the Lord's calling on Saturday, January 19, 2019 at his home in Columbia, Maryland.

Vernon served in the United States Navy and was honorably discharged at the end of World War II in 1945. After his military service, Vernon attended The City College of New York and then completed his college education at Tennessee State University (formerly, Tennessee Agriculture and Industrial College) in Nashville, TN where he received a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry. He later pursued graduate studies at Columbia University in New York City to obtain a Master's degree in Business Administration.

He worked for the New York City Department of Social Services, Health and Human Services until his retirement. Vernon was an entrepreneur at heart and over the years held ownership in a number of small businesses. He operated Vernon Morgan Tennis at the Riverside Park, West 114th Street tennis courts in New York City for more than 50 years.

A staunch competitor and athlete, Vernon was devoted to playing the game of tennis from age 16. He discovered his strong passion for the game while playing at the Cosmopolitan Club in Harlem, New York. Vernon competed and taught the sport until he was no longer physically able at age 86. Over the years, through his devotion, exceptional talent, and mastery of the game, he achieved many successes. He was awarded an athletic scholarship to Tennessee State University, won many championships, and held rankings in the sport at the local, state, and national levels. Vernon became a member of the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) and competed in the US Open in Flushing Meadows, New York. As one of the first professional tennis players of color, his contributions helped to break social and racial barriers and pave the way for future professional tennis players and athletes of color. Through his lifelong devotion to tennis, he enjoyed giving back to the community through junior programs that trained youth in the sport. Vernon was a certified member of the Unites States Professional Tennis Association (USPTA), a lifetime member of the United States Tennis Association (USTA), and American Tennis Association (ATA).

When not on the tennis court, Vernon enjoyed spending time with his family, playing chess and listening to jazz.

Vernon leaves his loving wife, Azilee, their two children, Alysha and Eric; and two grandchildren, James and Evan; a loving godchild Deborah and grand-godchildren Darren and Dante.