Patsy D. Morgan Jr.

“Knew what he wanted and he was going to get what he wanted!”

We would like to invite you to take a peek at his life as we remember it. Some of it is because we asked the right questions to people that were a part of his life at that particular era and some of the info is because we actually summized from being with him during a season of time and were a part of it first hand. So, let's go down memory lane and the street reads, “ The miracle

of Patsy D. Morgan”.

Why Patsy? He is a man. Yes, when his Mother went to name him at the hospital her and husband (Velma and Pat Morgan) were ready to name him as a Jr. Velma was ready to name him Patrick or Pat D. Morgan Jr. and was instantly corrected "He will not be a Pat if he is a junior; He will be a Patsy named after his Father," the mother in law stated. Turns out that Patsy is a very well known Irish first name for a man. Apparently, Velma didn't know all along that she was married to a Patsy D. Morgan, Sr. either. She corrected his name in order to name her newborn son. His birthplace was Batesville, Arkansas. His family quickly moved to Phoenix though within 3 months.

Why the miracle? Well, his mother always said that Patsy was a miracle for her. It may have been that it took a bit to see a baby come into their lives. Bottom line, Patsy always seemed to know he indeed was a miracle! His sister, Mildred, always thought her big brother was a little spoiled for sure!

In his younger years he was a cub scout and also learned to play a steel guitar. By 9 years old he started to dabble in building model airplanes. At the age of 10 the family moved again to Long Beach, CA. At 12 years old he had a paper route and stuck with it for a chance to earn some income for some of the toys he had his eye on.

His mother use to tell stories about a particular pair of white corduroy pants of his. He would never want to wash them and his mother would say that “they practically would stand up by themselves!” It was a fun story after all to tell when she had grandsons.

One of his favorite songs was the Hawaiian Love Song which is probably why he had a steel guitar. He seemed to pick up the beat of music and had a natural rhythm. He always loved the ocean and Long Beach gave him opportunity to love it even more.

By the age of 16 in High school he was already in love. After all he had a stable job and really wanted to take care of his girlfriend whom he made a decision to marry. He met Geraldine Downing at a Rodeo (which was the local High School hangout) and had to get special permission from his folks and her folks to get married. Together they had 21 years of happy marriage. Their journey of marriage started in Long Beach, CA and by the time he was 22 years old they already had 3 children. They named them Judith Ann, Andrew Dewine, and Russell Brooke Morgan. In those early years, he didn't always make very much income but he was always a good provider. And $100 bought them their first vehicle. It was a 1937 Plymouth Sedan. His father in law actually allowed him to buy it from him with a loan. Later on he and his wife were able to bump up to a 1949 Ford. This will be important information at the end of this biography – so remember the 1949 Ford. He also belonged to a car club in 1953, the year his daughter was born. She was the car club mascot and the young family had a blast.

He had many jobs to help support the family. He worked the fishing dock in Long Beach, learned how to install sprinklers while working for a company, installed ceramic tile, worked in a dairy, and even sold Tupperware. He was good at closing sales at Tupperware parties.

In 1958 he and his wife decided to move to Lancaster, CA for many reasons. One was because they needed to move to more of a dry climate to accommodate their first 2 kids health, and secondly the Antelope Valley was an area was being developed and after all, they had a Fire Department there that Pat had his eye on. Having already taking tests and trying to get on – he walked into 33's Fire Station unit and let them know that all he had left was to pass his physical. Oh, and Geraldine had to “fatten” him up a bit with lots of bananas to help him make weight for the physical. He was hired as a Fireman in 1960 at that same station, 33.

In those days firemen didn't make much money and they had a lot of expenses. All clothing and equipment had to be purchased and LA County would give a loan to purchase as long as it was paid off. Pat would work other jobs too – not only his Fireman shift to make ends meet. In 1960 another baby

came along, Anthony Morgan.

He would work for the Ambulance, a Bus Company that chartered events, a Pop Truck, and by the way – he always needed to have some money because he like his toys! He loved big boy toys; something usually connected with cars, fishing, or boats. The rodeo bug seemed to manifest in him later in life and he was drawn to the fair and carnivals. Yes, you figured it out. Lancaster, CA has an Antelope Valley Fair.

As a fireman, he not only worked on local fires but helped out with many over the hill because they were needing back up. He went to Malibu many times to help out with brush fires and would be gone for long shifts. He was dedicated as a fireman and loved his job. He was fortunate to belong to a unit that knew how to work together. He also fought the big Watts Fire in Los Angeles in August 1965 where whole city blocks were gutted by arson and mobs set fires for 6 days. It was reported there was $40 million dollars in property damage.

While living on Andale Ave. in Lancaster California he had a whistle to tell his children it was time to come in and drew a command! The neighborhood embraced the Morgan family and there were many friends, parties, and memories.

His fireman's shift gave him some days to be able to play. He had already taught his wife to learn to swim and water ski. He use to bring a gas can in his younger days to lakes and say, “I will pay the gas if you pull me”. So, his family became what he lovingly remembers as a “water skiing family”. They would camp and ski Shasta Lake, Bass Lake, Lake Isabella, Colorado River, and Thompson lake. He became quite the “hot dog” on a single ski! But one thing was missing...... his own boat.

So, the hobbyist he was, he figured he could find a boat in decent shape and make it look really cool.

He bought a wooden boat, stripped it down, sanded it, lacquered it, fiberglassed it, and painted and pin striped it with a contrasting bright orange paint. Well, it needed a name. Lovingly he pin striped the name “ORANGE CRATE” on it. He put a powerful 60 hp Johnson outboard motor on it and away he went! That decision to create family memories are still alive to this day!

The rodeo left him with loving livestock too. Living at a track home just wasn't doing it for him any longer, so, he started to inquire about a ranch. That's right a ranch to bring up the kids and teach them some chores. On the eastside of Lancaster on 20th Street E and Ave K he found a 5 acre ranch with a barn, a house, and a rental house. The kids had already been interested in 4H projects and a sheep ranch was surely in order. Andrew, Russell, and Anthony quickly learned how to bale hay and take care of a variety of animals.

Judith, his daughter, played an old upright piano and together, Pat with his Martin guitar would happily play Cincinnati Ohio. He also let his daughter know that he knew a step or two and would dance around the front room.

Patsy Morgan was always a hard worker and good provider; At times he would hold down 3 jobs. He was an affectionate man, generous, and giving. He always loved babies. And becoming a grandfather was icing on the cake for him.

He was active in the Elks Club. He had the fair and carnival bug and participated in staff and or management at the Antelope Valley Fair, Bishop Fair, and Orange Show Fair in San Bernardino.

He also had a few businesses; Pat and Son's Refrigeration and Pat's Cafe on Sierra Hwy in Lancaster, Ca.

He remarried in 1987 to Joan Mayhew Morgan. Joan was a caterer at the Orange Show in San Bernardino where he worked. She embraced Pat's family and Pat's family embraced her. Together they purchased a home in Redlands, Ca. That home was a strong, fun meeting place where children, grandchildren and great grandchildren enjoyed great food and southern hospitality by Joan and along with a swimming pool. Many holidays and family reunions will always be referenced there.

Joan Mayhew Morgan was the love of his life. Her southern, gracious ways brought the best out in Pat. She was the owner of Mayhew Catering and many to this day remember her. He was proud to have her as his wife of 23 years. He and Joan purchased a 45 foot boat they name “PAJO” which, of course, included both of their first names. Sometimes they would take trips into Mexico and both loved to fish. Also, when Joan retired from the catering business, it gave them opportunity to go on cruises and charter fishing boats in Alaska. They traveled and loved to cruise.

While retired, he also had time to golf, fly model airplanes, and fish. In Redlands he became active in his Christianity by committing his life to Christ. He was enthusiastic to participate in helping with communion, attending home group with people he loved, and he loved Men's bible studies, and really enjoyed a Hot Rod group sponsored by Calvary Chapel, Redlands. He was very involved in Packing House Calvary Chapel.

After Joan's passing in June 2010, Pat's granddaughter, Racheal Morgan, stayed with him. She was a wonderful companion for him. They were able to travel, fish, cruise, and joke around. Racheal always made sure that her Grandpa missed anything that came close to a donut! He was happy to have her in his Redlands home.

Pat was known to be responsible, punctual, and have a good work ethic throughout his life.

He always had a sense of adventure. He took flying lessons. He actually tried to talk his wife into buying bulls to rent out to rodeos! He was always ready to “push the envelope” a bit to see what could be behind some kind of new adventure.

He had a resilience about him that was a testimony to all. He had an ability to bounce back from many health problems e.g. foot and back surgery as a Fireman, sometimes a loss of work, cancer, and an infectious foot ulcer.

Pat Morgan will be missed by many friends, family and church family. His love of living life to its fullest will be passed from generation to generation. He was Husband, Father, Grandfather, and Great Grandfather will always be cherished. Pat Morgan passed away at 12:43am on July 29, 2013 in his Redlands residence. Memorial services were held at Mt. View Mortuary and Cemetery in San Bernardino, CA.

And remember it was mentioned to reflect on the 1949 Ford? He bought another one almost just like it, but it was a 1950 Ford last Spring. So, in memory of him – his four children have gone to four different locations that he went to frequently and will honk the horn to honor him.