On February 20, 1943, Felton Morgan, at the age of 19, enlisted in the Navy. He became Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class and assigned to the Fleet Marine Corp. At the close of World War II, he was ranked as Pharmacist Mate 2nd Class. He fought with the Marines, the 2nd Armored Amphibian Battalion Fourth Division at Tinian Island, Saipan, and Iwo Jima.
For heroic service, he received the Purple Heart, Bronze Star and the Presidential Unit Citation for his uncommon valor and relentless dedication to the wounded. He was later inducted into the Arkansas Veteran’s Hall of Fame and was invited to speak in Washington D.C. at the American Veteran Center as one of the few remaining Medics in WWII. He graciously spoke at his grandchildren’s schools to share history as well as an example of what it means to respond with courage in the face of fear. He taught the children in his life that your reputation is the most valuable thing you own. You earn it over a lifetime and can lose it in a second. So choose well and live well.
After returning home from the war, Felton married his sweetheart, Martha Monte Jackson. In 2015, they celebrated 70 years of marriage and a life well lived.
He served as Deputy Sheriff with the Union County Sheriff’s Department and eventually joined the El Dorado Police Force where he retired in 1987 as Captain. In retirement, he served as Justice of the Peace District 8, maintained membership in the Masons and a lifetime membership in the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
He is survived by his wife Martha Monte Jackson Morgan, his daughters Gail Morgan Robinson, Theresa Morgan Meldrum and husband John, Sharon Morgan Tahaney and Martha Angelina Morgan, his grandchildren, Randy & Cheryl Evans, Stephanie Vetrano, Jennifer Meldrum Varnadore and husband, Rodney, Katharine Meldrum Knicely and husband, Josh, Diana Meldrum Hunter and husband, Orie, and Adam Tahaney. He is also survived by his great grandchildren Shelby, Tristan and Liam Evans, Laura Vetrano Gillum and Katherine Vetrano, Ethan and Cooper Varnadore, August and Gray Knicely,, William and Annlyn Hunter, Adam, Ayla and Mitchell Tahaney and Braydan Normandin.
He was preceded in death by his parents G.W. and Lena Morgan, his sisters Anna Morgan and Avarice Brumley, his brothers, Neal, Doris, Louin, Arlon “Ott” and Carroll Morgan, and grandson Patrick Mitchell Tahaney, and his son-in-law, Ken Robinson.
He was given loving care in his last months by his “jim-dandy” (as he called them) caregivers, Debbye Crain, Donna Billings, Marilyn Bowen, Allie Cheshier, Brittany Martin, Connie Rodgers, and Joel Morgan, his nephew driver and companion. Their dedication along with the watchful night-time care of daughter Ange Morgan allowed him to remain at home to live out his life.
The viewing will be at Young’s Funeral Home, Thursday, April 21, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
The funeral service will be held at the First Church of God, 918 Mosby, El Dorado, Arkansas, on Friday, April 22, 10:00 a.m. The Burial Service and Interment will be at Williams Cemetery in Banks, Arkansas, at 1:30 p.m.
Memorials may be made to First Church of God, 918 N. Mosby Ave., El Dorado, AR 71730 or to the charity of the donor’s choice.
Arrangements are under the direction of Young’s Funeral Home.
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