Colby Shannon Morgan Jr.

Colby Shannon Morgan Jr. passed away peacefully in Memphis, Tenn., on May 24, 2022, due to complications from acute myeloid leukemia, a disease he had courageously fought for nearly two years.

Colby has been described in many different words by many different people. Among these words are scholar, historian, leader, role model, musician, athlete, litigator, fighter, coach, Renaissance man, gentleman, man of God, husband, father, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend. His influence was broad. Colby was a person who lived life to the fullest. He, like his mother - because of his gregarious personality - never met a stranger. Many would feel that they had known Colby their entire lives after talking with him for just a few minutes. Everyone who knew him will miss him.

Colby was born on March 29, 1949, in Marshalltown, Iowa, where his father was the pastor of a local church. He spent his formative years, however, in what became his lifelong hometown: Pittsfield, N.H. His enduring love for learning and his many talents were shaped early in his childhood. His parents were his first teachers, and they instilled in him the love of reading, while also teaching him music, Greek, history, and the need for discipline in life. Colby was fascinated by history. His parents gave him a subscription to the Civil War Times during the Civil War Centennial (1961-1965). The Civil War Times chronicled every battle and every move made by both the North and the South one hundred years later. Colby voraciously studied each volume and memorized the events of the Civil War. By doing so, he became an expert on the Civil War before he was 15 years old. He maintained this intensity of study in everything he did. He spent years researching the Morgan, Williams, Robertson, and King family histories. He memorized his ancestry and became an expert. Colby shared this ancestry with all family members because he believed it is important to know one's roots. Colby's family is very grateful for all the time and energy he poured into these endeavors.

By the time Colby reached high school he was an outstanding student, excellent athlete, accomplished musician, and school leader. His many activities included band, chorus, baseball, basketball, soccer, National Honor Society, Student Council president, freshman class secretary, and sophomore class president. He was particularly proud to be an essential part of two Pittsfield High School varsity baseball teams to win the Class M State Championships in 1965 and 1967. He won the DAR American History Award as a junior and the Rensselaer Math Award as a senior. Colby attended St. Paul's School Advanced Summer Program for Gifted Scholars upon the completion of his junior year of high school. He graduated as valedictorian of the Pittsfield High School Class of 1967 and received the Lamp of Knowledge for the highest grade point average for all four years of high school. Colby continued his scholarly pursuits at Dartmouth College and graduated in 1971. Upon graduation from college, he received a Juris Doctorate from Vanderbilt Law School in 1974.

Colby met his future wife, Leslie Marmon, while at Vanderbilt. They wed in her hometown of Memphis in 1975, where they would eventually settle down and spend nearly all their 47 years together.

Colby's legal career included years of service with the Jackson Lewis National Labor and Employment Law Firm, the FedEx legal department, and the Holiday Corporation legal department. He traveled often and extensively throughout the country for his work. He also practiced law at private firms in New York and Memphis, including Memphis' oldest operating law firm, Apperson Crump, PLC. During his 22 years at FedEx, Colby received several awards for his litigation successes. Among these awards was FedEx's highest honor, the "Five Star Award." He also received the "Star Rising Award" for outstanding performance and the "Bravo Zulu Award" for outstanding performance beyond normal job expectations.

Admitted to the practice of law in both New York and Tennessee, Colby would also be admitted in 15 federal district courts, seven United States Courts of Appeals (including the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals), and the United States Supreme Court. He was a member of the American Bar Association, Federal Bar Association, Federalist Society, and a fellow of the Memphis Bar Foundation.

Above and beyond his career, Colby loved his church, community, and country. He served as Chairman of the Memphis Civil Service Commission, Chairman of the Board of the Memphis Emmaus Community, Governor of the Tennessee Society of Colonial Wars, and State President for the Tennessee Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, for which he was awarded the Patriot Medal, that organization's highest honor, for his long, faithful, and outstanding service. He also served on the boards of Christ Methodist Day School, Su Casa Family Ministries, Latino Memphis, and the National Hispanic Professional Organization. Valued for his immense knowledge, Colby was frequently invited by groups to speak on legal, historical, and religious subjects.

Colby was an excellent teacher and musician. He freely gave of his time and talents. He will be remembered for his memorable teaching efforts, which included an unwavering participation with his wife, Leslie, in their Presidents Day program held annually at Christ Methodist Day School. For his part, Colby would dress up in full regalia to become George Washington, a memory that would endure for so many of the school's students. He will also be remembered for his singing, trumpet playing, and guitar playing. He sang in his church choir and in the Memphis Symphony Chorus, played "Taps" on his trumpet during Memorial Day and other solemn occasions, and often played "De Colores" on his guitar at Emmaus sendoffs. Colby's Pittsfield friends will remember his high school rock group, The Triangle (aka The Shannons when first established). He and his group performed at many high school dances and events throughout New Hampshire during the mid-1960s. Colby was the founder, lead guitarist, and vocalist of the group.

During his middle years, Colby started running for exercise, and then summoned the resolve to participate in three marathons, all of which he finished. He also studied Spanish so he could be helpful to the Latino Community in Memphis.

Colby put his family first. This applied to both his immediate family and his extended family. His love for his wife and three children never faltered. When he was not traveling for work, he coached baseball, basketball, soccer, and mock trial teams. He led Cub Scouts and supervised Pinewood Derby races. He made himself present at even the most nominal events of his children. He attended as many extended family events as he physically could. Colby was at most family weddings, funerals, family reunions, anniversary receptions, family football games, and birthday parties until his illness prevented him from traveling.

So much of Colby's life was influenced by his innate selflessness rooted in his core convictions and deep faith. With his passing, he leaves behind a proud example of conviction, commitment, wisdom, and faith. He will be remembered and loved forever by those who were blessed to know him.

Colby was preceded in death by his parents, Colby Shannon Morgan Sr. and Elizabeth Robertson Morgan, and his nephew, Ethan Morgan. He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Leslie Marmon Morgan; two sons, Colby Shannon Morgan, III, and Jeffrey Michael Morgan (Courtney); one daughter, Sarah Morgan Ashey (Paul); four siblings, Charles Michael Morgan (Selina), Carol Morgan Taylor (Mike), Robert Lee Morgan, and Joel Stuart Morgan; four grandchildren, Rebecca Cahill Morgan, John Jeffrey Morgan, Julia Smith Morgan, and Hannah Lukens Morgan; his beloved maternal aunt, Virginia Robertson Stadler; six nieces and nephews; six grandnieces and grandnephews; and a multitude of cousins.

Arrangements are with Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery, 5668 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, 38120.