Johnnie "John" Floyd Morgan

Johnnie "John" Floyd Morgan, 78, died January 3, 2014 following complications from open heart surgery. He was born September 13, 1935 in a farm house in Branch, Arkansas. John was the first of two children born to Ted W. and Ada Mae Morgan. Before Johnnie was a year old the family moved to California, settling in Santa Paula in 1936. He received all of his schooling at Briggs Elementary School and Santa Paula Union High School, graduating in 1953.

In January 1954, John joined the United States Army. He attended boot camp at Fort Ord in California and was then stationed in Okinawa, Japan for 18 months.

When John was a sophomore in high school, he met his wife Connie Wahl of Fillmore on a blind date set up by their mutual friends. They were married in August 1956 and made their home in Santa Paula. Their first son, James was born in November 1957, followed by daughter Melinda in July 1959, son Patrick in August 1961 and son Larry Justin in August 1965.

John worked for Safeway for 8 years, becoming a produce manager before leaving to sell real estate for Staben Realty in Santa Paula. During this time John was a volunteer fireman and very much enjoyed the camaraderie of the fire department. In 1966, John returned to the grocery business, working for Vons. He became store manager at the Vons on Mills Road in Ventura.

In 1973, John, Connie and their four children decided to venture into the small business world. He resigned from Vons, sold their family home in Santa Paula and they moved to Oak View. There the family bought a small grocery store, “Ven-Oak Market.” John was always a hard worker and a good provider for his family. The first year in the business he did not have even one day off. After a few years, John decided to add a second location and bought “The Corner Market” in Oak View. This location was well known for its homemade beef jerky. The family spent many hours working together running the two markets.

By 1985, John was ready to leave the grocery business and try something new. After he sold the two markets John decided to restore antique carriages. There was a carriage restoration shop in Templeton that had closed, so John called the owner to buy some parts. When he went to pick up the parts the owner offered to sell him everything. John purchased the stock and tools, found a suitable location in Oak View and opened Morgan Carriage Works in 1985. He especially liked traveling to Ohio and Pennsylvania to personally meet and visit with his Amish suppliers. He enjoyed the many years he spent in the carriage business.

John always enjoyed woodworking and leather tooling. While he and Connie were dating in high school he made several hand tooled leather purses and wallets for her. The family had riding horses for years and John took up carriage driving. He was very fortunate to have known and been taught driving by Jesse Kahle of Thatcher School in Ojai.

Over the years John was involved in various organizations. He served on the Oak View Sanitary District Board, the Municipal Advisory Council for the Ojai/Oak View area and was a volunteer for the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department at the Oak View station. He was a founding member of The Whip’r Snapper Driving Society of Southern California and a member of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Ojai.

John was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Jerry “Cutter” Morgan. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Connie; sons, James, Patrick (JoAnn), Larry Justin (Tess) all of Oak View, CA; daughter, Melinda Burkett (Bill) of La Quinta CA; grandchildren, Christopher Holladay, Michelle Taylor (Ryan), Julie Hauenstein (John), Morgan Burkett, Kiley Morgan, Johnathan Morgan, Darby Morgan, Jacob Morgan, Matthew Burkett, JulieAnn Morgan, Margie France and Justin Morgan and great-grandson, Kyle Taylor.

John was a beloved husband, dad and grandpa. He had a kind and generous soul that touched the lives of all who knew him.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, January 18, 2014 at 11:00a.m. at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 185 St. Thomas Drive, Ojai. A lunch reception will follow in the church hall.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to a charity of your choice.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Ted Mayr Funeral Home, 3150 Loma Vista Road, Ventura. Condolences may be left at TedMayrFuneralHome.com.