George Eugene (Gene) Morgan

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George Eugene (Gene) Morgan, 96, passed away on Sept. 18, 2021, at HomeLake Veterans Center in Monte Vista, Colo. He was born on Feb. 17, 1925, in Salina, Kan. to George W. and Margaret D. (Braddock) Morgan.

When he was a junior in high school, he moved to Monte Vista with his sister and parents. After graduation, he enlisted into the Navy to serve his country in WWII. He was stationed on the USS Morris, a destroyer, where he fought in several battles in the Pacific, including one where a Kamikaze plane hit their ship. He was injured but never reported it as he said there were more serious injuries than his to tend to.

When he returned from the Navy, he went back to Kansas where he worked for Western Electric and met his first love, Eileen Vernon. They were married on April 9, 1949, at the Methodist Church in Oberlin, Kan. After a few years of continued employment, and three children, they decided to move to the family farm in Northwestern Kansas in 1956 where they grew wheat, corn, milo and raised cattle and hogs.

Ten years later, he was convinced to move back to the valley to farm barley with his half-brother. He eventually went to work at MV Co-op and became the parts and petroleum manager until he retired.

After the untimely death of Eileen in 1985, he was given a second chance at love and married Darlene Glunz on March 21, 1995, in Las Vegas, Nev. They moved to Arboles, Colo., so Gene could be on the lake, fishing in his boat and enjoying the milder weather.

A couple years ago, due to Gene’s health, they moved yet again back to Monte Vista into the Legacy. In March, it was decided that he needed 24-hour care and was moved to the VA Center at HomeLake.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Phyllis (Morgan) Christ, half-brother Loyal Morgan and half-sister Elvira (Morgan) Telinde.

Gene is survived by his wife, Darlene, his three children Gordon (Cindy) Morgan of Strausburg, Colo., Sue (Darrel) Plane of Monte Vista, Colo., and Janet (Jim) Gonzales of Oklahoma City, Okla., his stepchildren C.E.(Shari) Glunz and Dawn (Harold) Martin and family. He also had four grandchildren Jennifer (Ryan) Roth of Greeley, Colo., Jeremy (Jeanette) Gonzales of Little Elm, Texas, Russell Plane of Mesa, Ariz., and Gregory Morgan of Strausburg, Colo., who is currently serving in the Army. Gene also was a great-grandfather to Noah, Andrew, Nathanael, Sarabeth Roth and Kyle and Zach Gonzales. He also is survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at the Monte Vista United Methodist Church on Saturday Nov. 6, 2021, at 1 p.m. Officiated by the Rev. Don P. Strait, retired Navy Chaplain.

Gene loved homemade ice cream so there will be an ice cream social following the services.

Interment will be in the Norcatur Cemetery in Norcatur, Kan., as per his wishes.

Contributions may be made to: Citizens Alliance c/o E. Sue Hillebrand, 6320 Highway 36, Norton, KS 67654. Please designate: for Norcatur Cemetery Tractor Fund.

The family would like to thank the veteran’s center for their care for Gene over the last several months.

Rogers Family Mortuary is in care of the arrangements. To leave online condolences, please visit www.RogersFunerals.com.