Laurence Ray “Bud” Morgan, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother-in-law, uncle, and friend passed away May 29, 2013, after a long battle with Heart Disease. Bud was born on Aug. 13, 1940 in Coos Bay, Ore., and eventually moved to La Center, Wash. He and his life-long partner Jean met through friends at a dance when they were 16. Although he went to La Center High School and she was at Vancouver High School, a “long distance” relationship blossomed. They were married following high school graduation. Their love affair and devotion to each other continued to the day he passed away. They were truly the love of each other’s lives throughout their 53 years of marriage and an inspiration to all who knew them as a couple.
Bud and Jean moved to Chehalis in 1965 after he accepted a job working for Title Guaranty of Lewis County. He was one of three employees, and soon after being promoted to manager the company thrived. When Bud retired in 2003, he was the company’s president and Title Guaranty was the leading title company in Lewis County. Although retired, he remained an active participant on the company’s Board of Directors.
Bud’s humor, insight, and strong commitment to his family and community made him a mentor and friend to many. He leaves a legacy of leadership, wisdom, and a desire to do what is right.
During his almost five decades of living in Chehalis, Bud was involved in numerous and varied activities and organizations. During the early years of living here, he was an active member of the Chehalis Junior Chamber of Commerce, Chehalis Kiwanis, president and chairman of the Miss Lewis County Pageant, and chair of the Lewis County Republican Party. He served as president of the Chehalis Chamber of Commerce in 1974/75 and was on the Lewis County Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee for 17 years. He was president of the Washington Land Title State Association in 1991/92 and was a long time member of the Lewis County Economic Development Council serving as its chair for two years in 1997/98. He was a member of the Chehalis Industrial Commission for six years. In 1984, Bud was awarded Citizen of the Year by the Lewis County Board of Realtors.
Bud and Jean loved to travel and in retirement they enjoyed exploring the country in their motorhome. Eventually they bought a home in Surprise, Ariz., where, during the past 10 years, they spent their winters.
Besides his wife Jean, the other loves of his life were his sons, Mark, Monte and Michael, his daughter-in-law Rhonda and his two beloved granddaughters Ryleigh and Rhyann. Nothing made him happier than to be with “his girls” whether in Chehalis, Arizona or Mt. Vernon.
Bud was preceded in death by his parents, Floyd and Faye (Gosney) Morgan; his brother, Jim Morgan; and sister, Avis Hazen. He is survived and will be deeply missed by his wife, Jean; twin sons, Mark and Monte, all of Chehalis, Michael and his wife, Rhonda; granddaughters, Ryleigh and Rhyann of Mt. Vernon, Wash.; sister, Phyllis Morgan; sister-in-law, Marcy Long; nephew, Brandon Jacobs; extended family, many friends and colleagues.
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