James Morgan

JAMES STANLEY MORGAN, 81 ROCKFORD - James "Jim" Stanley Morgan, 81, of Rockford, IL, passed peacefully at home, surrounded by the love of his family, on October 19th, 2015. In spite of his strong will to live, and the love and prayers of his family and friends, Jim succumbed to lung cancer. Jim was born March 18, 1934, in Utica, NY to Stanley Thomas Morgan and Catherine H. (Hayes) Morgan. On April 4th, 1959, he married the former Gaynor Ellen Lewis and had two children, Michelle Ann Morgan and Denise Marie Morgan. On December 21, 1968, he married Melanie R. Rose and had two children, Jamie Patrick Morgan and Scott Michael Morgan. Jim was a caring and dependable parent, brother, friend and co-worker. He worked hard all his life to ensure his loved ones had the support and stability they needed. He retired as an Operation Manager from LKG Industries, and was previously employed at GC Electronics and General Electric, where he had many good friends and fond memories. Jim was an avid sports fan, mainly supporting Rockford and Chicago teams. While he enjoyed participating in sports himself, mainly bowling and golf, what he really loved was watching his children and especially, his grandchildren participate and excel. He relished socializing with friends and family, dining out and dancing with his girlfriend of thirty years, Marilyn Lenderman. Jim will be remembered for his story-telling, value in personal relationships, and for his many sacrifices of putting others before him. Jim had an entertaining and distinct kind of humor which coupled with a simple and unassuming demeanor, won him many good friends and a lasting place in the hearts and minds of all those he came in contact with. Jim served in the U.S. Army from October, 29th 1956, and continued with the reserves until August 13th 1962, serving in the Infantry Division at Fort Lewis Washington, proudly belonging to the ceremonial Color Guard. Survivors include his 4 children, Michelle Levy, Denise (Ed) McKeever, Jamie (Christy) Morgan, Scott (Oana) Morgan; 8 grandchildren, Monique (Ryan), Rachael, Robert, Samantha, Savannah, Grant, Erin, Sophia; 3 great-grandchildren, Kathleen, Matthew, Rylan; 2 brothers, Fredrick (Pat), William; sister, Karen (Richard) Orr; longtime girlfriend, Marilyn; and many nieces and nephews. Visitation for Jim will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday, October 23, at Fitzgerald Funeral Home, 1860 S. Mulford Rd., Rockford, IL 61108, and from 9:30 to 10 a.m. Saturday, October 24. Funeral Services will be held at Fitzgerald Funeral Home at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, October 24. As per his request, Jim will be cremated following the services and his ashes laid to rest at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elmwood, IL, with full military honors. Memorial donations can be made to the Lung Cancer Research Foundation 155 East 55th Street Suite 6H New York, NY 10022, www.lungcancerresearchfoundation.org. Jim will be greatly missed. Online condolences can be left on Fitzgerald's tribute site at www.fitzgeraldfuneralhome.com.