He was born to William Fredrick Morgan and Otha Williams Morgan on November 24, 1923 in Verdon, Oklahoma the third oldest child of twelve. He grew up during the Great Depression and dust bowl of Oklahoma.
Tom Morgan was a man of God, Country, and Family. He converted to the Catholic Church as a young adult and gave many hours to the Church during his lifetime. He was a parishioner of St. Francis of Assisi in Cordova, TN for over thirty years before moving to the Ave Maria Home assisted living in 2017.
He felt the need to serve his country during WWII so enlisted in the Navy. He was stationed at Pearl Harbor and in the Majuro Islands in the Pacific, before the war ended, he was sent to the Millington Base just outside of Memphis, TN. While in Memphis, he met his wife to be Margaret Ragghianti at the local Catholic Club. They were married in November 1945. Just after the war, he landed his first job with the National Cash Register Company where he retired after forty years of service.
Tom Morgan was a total family man. He and Margaret raised five children. They celebrated 66 years of marriage until his beloved wife Margaret passed away in July 2012.
Not only was he a loving and giving husband and father, he enjoyed all of his grandchildren who called him Papaw. Along with grandchildren, God blessed him with seven great grandchildren.
He enjoyed many interests and hobbies in life Golf was his passion. He developed a game considered by many as professional. Although he never turned Pro, he did enjoy playing in the ProAm FedEx-St. Jude tournament in 1991. Tom also loved gardening. After retirement he obtained a garden plot at Shelby Farms where he grew all of the vegetables needed to make salsa, it was the best. He also grew rows and rows of colorful zinnias so noticeable that an article was written about him in the Commercial Appeal with pictures of him and his colorful garden. His other interest included camping and boating in his younger years, writing, watching western movies, and later in life, he turned to music, Christmas Carols being his favorite. He was the best handyman, working around the house, repairing anything and everything.
He is survived by his daughters Linda Morgan and Peggy Gattas, sons, Larry Morgan, Tommy Morgan (Merci), Paul Morgan (Jason). Grandchildren: Jason Morgan (Anna), Justin Morgan (Teresa), Natalie Holmes (Andrew), Allison Degler (Cory), Morgan Palmer (Ian), and Meghan Barry (Patrick). Great grandchildren: Austin Morgan, Sydney Morgan Shattuck (Jake) Brandon Morgan, Olivia Morgan, Josie Morgan, Delia Holmes, and Mable Holmes. He also leaves his sisters Margaret Helen Holmes and Gerry Richardson, many nieces, nephews and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his loving wife Margaret, his brothers WF Morgan, JP Morgan and Bill Morgan and sisters Mildred Morgan, Louise French, Ruby Eastwood, Barbara Matthews, and Joy Kissinger.
The family would also like to thank the Ave Maria Home for the loving care bestowed upon their dad during his time living there.
The family will receive friends on Tuesday, November 16 from 9:30 to 10:30 with the Funeral Mass to begin at 10:30 all at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church.
Entombment will follow the Funeral Mass in Memorial Park Mausoleum, 5668 Poplar Ave., Memphis, TN 38119.
Memorials may be made to: St. Jude’s Children's Hospital, Ave Maria Home, St. Mary’s Soup Kitchen, or the Charity of your choice.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.MemphisFuneralPoplar.com for the Morgan family.
