Evan Morgan Massey

MASSEY, Evan Morgan, 94, passed away Wednesday, March 10, 2021, after a brief illness.

A pillar of the Richmond, Va. business and philanthropic community, Morgan oversaw the transition of the A.T. Massey Coal Co. from a midsized family-owned coal mining and brokerage company into the third largest coal company in the United States. Following his retirement from the company at 65, he competed against global energy giants to create new coal mining enterprises in South America and China. He was active until his final days, going into the office daily to oversee his latest startup, Minerals Refining Company.

After training as an aviator during World War II and graduating from the University of Virginia with an engineering degree, Morgan started working full time for the family firm in 1949. With the support of his father and uncle, Evan Massey and William E. Massey, he expanded the company from its foundation as a coal brokerage through a series of coal properties in West Virginia and eastern Kentucky into a company that generated most of its revenue and profits from mining. In 1973, the family sold the company to St. Joe Minerals and Morgan continued running the company until his retirement in 1991.

After retiring from A.T. Massey, Morgan started Evan Energy Company to improve coal mining safety and methods in South America and China. While growing Evan Energy Company with the help of his youngest son, Craig, Morgan and his wife, Joan split their time between Richmond and Florida. Morgan enjoyed the frequent company of his children and grandchildren and hosted many family reunions. Morgan also loved flying his Citation and deep-sea fishing with his family.

Morgan was active in the Richmond philanthropic community, both through the Massey Foundation, founded by his father and uncle, and the Joan and Morgan Massey Foundation. Morgan was passionate about supporting his community, higher education, medical research and the development of new technologies that improve lives.

Family, friends and business acquaintances remember Morgan for his amiable manner, his loyalty as a friend, his personal humility and his generosity to others. Other than piloting airplanes – he took delight in his membership in the Flying Octogenarians – and on occasion playing the piano, he had few hobbies. His passion until his final days was business and caring for his family. Morgan's impact on his family can best be described by a quote from his eldest daughter, "He was a Dad, a friend, and a mentor to us all, and I know he will be dearly missed by each and every one of us, and, I think, irreplaceable. I will sorely miss his intellect, guidance, stamina and humor. Quite the amazing guy!"

Morgan was preceded in death by his parents, Gertrude Morgan and Evan Massey; brother, William Blair Massey, Sr.; wife, Joan Carpenter Massey; ex-wife, Elizabeth Herscher Massey (Tommie); and survived by his daughters, Elizabeth Anne (Libby) Massey, Susan Chapman (Susie) Massey and Nancy Lee Massey; sons, Evan Morgan (Mike) Massey, Jr. and his wife, Robin, John William Massey and his wife, Kelli, Charles Taylor Massey and his wife, Sarah and Craig Lewis Massey and his wife, Sky; 15 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

An extended visitation for family and friends will be held from 12 noon to 6 p.m., March 23, at Bliley's-Central, 3801 August Avenue, Richmond, Va. Due to COVID restrictions, a limited number of guests will be allowed to enter at one time, with social distancing and a mask required. The family will hold a private burial service for direct descendants only at Hollywood Cemetery. A memorial service for family and friends will be held at a later date.