Neil Harvey Morgan

1935 – 2013

Neil Harvey Morgan, 77, passed away Monday, April 29, 2013, at his home in Othello following a battle with cancer.

Neil was born June 29, 1935, son of Gilbert Charles and Lucile “Alyene” (Roach) Morgan, at Othello. They lived in Othello until the family moved to Smyrna in 1941, where Gilbert was the section foreman for the Milwaukee Railroad. Neil graduated in 1953 with the last class out of the old Foster High School in Seattle.

Following high school, he went to work with his father on the Milwaukee RR. After his marriage, he worked for the railroad at Malden, Smyrna and Corfu before settling in Othello. He was a brakeman and conductor for the Milwaukee until it closed in 1980. He then went to work for Burlington Northern and, finally, the Central Washington Railroad until he retired.

In addition to his work for railroads, he was also a reserve police officer, serving as Othello’s dog catcher, and a diver for the local fire department. He sold bait to tackle stores for a time and had a refrigeration business.

For many years, Neil was involved in paleontology with his brother Jim, mapping fossil sights around the Columbia Basin. They discovered a new species of pronghorn at Taunton and their work was written up in several scientific journals.

Neil was known for his area photography, some of which can be seen at the Othello Community Museum, and was a talented artist of pencil drawings and paintings in oils and acrylics. He also did lapidary work and enjoyed fishing and hunting. He was an avid gardener, often sharing his tomatoes with friends. During the summer months, he could usually be found at the Saturday Farmers Market selling his homegrown produce.

Neil is survived by his sons Dennis (Delia) Morgan, of Burbank, and Steve Morgan, of Walla Walla; his daughters Tami Morrison, of Kent, and Kimberly, of Othello; brothers Eric (LuAnn) Morgan, of Othello, and David (Babe) Morgan, of Hermiston, Ore.; sisters Norma (Efrain) Cervantes, of East Wenatchee, and Doris (Eddie) Renfroe, of Bonaire, Ga.; his uncle Don (Ginette) Morgan, of Seattle; seven grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins; and many special friends in Othello.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his 9-month-old daughter Victoria in 1957 and his brother Jim in 2008.

Graveside services will be 1 p.m. Friday, May 10, at the American Legion Cemetery, Highway 17 and Sutton Road north of Othello, where he will be laid to rest next to Vicki.

The family suggests memorial donations be made in Neil’s name to the Othello Community Museum, P.O. Box 121, Othello, WA 99344, or the Heart of the Basin Relay for Life through the Othello branch of Sterling Savings Bank.

Services are under the direction of Stevens Funeral Chapel, Othello. Notes for the family can be left on Neil’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/belizeno1 or at www.stevensfuneralchapel.com.