Jim L. Morgan, 90, passed peacefully in the early hours of Friday, January 17, at his home in Amherst, Ohio.
He was born in Bellefontaine, Ohio, on December 29, 1934. He is preceded in death by his parents, John Henry Morgan and Neoma (Grimes) Morgan as well as his 4 brothers, and 3 sisters, Carl (Betty) Smith, Richard (Zaida) Morgan, Marjorie (Tom) Bryson, Dorothy (Harry) Lease, John (Marilyn) Morgan, Mary Ann (Brian) Downing, Danny (Kay) Morgan; whom he loved.
He is survived by his loving wife of 68 years, Barbara (Young) Morgan. He is also survived by his daughter, Jill (Morgan) Giele, her husband Larry Giele whom he called his Rock in later years and his son Jim and wife, Kerry (Lenz) Morgan.
Jim really loved his five grandchildren Morgan Giele Wachholz (Jake), Mike Giele (Jeni), Sydney Morgan Marchese (Matt), Mackenzie Morgan Branch (Ryan) and Tucker Morgan as well as his two great grandchildren Charlotte Wachholz and Joanna Wachholz. His eyes lit up whenever they came to see him.
A 1955 graduate of Bellefontaine High School, Jim mastered his skills as an outstanding Tool and Die maker and was sought out from neighboring states for his craftsmanship. He retired in 1999 from Wapak Tool & Die. He was a 32 degree Mason and belonged to Lodge 706 in Lima, Ohio, and was a member of The Scottish Rite in Dayton for 50 years.
A great lover of nature, he always enjoyed being outdoors. He loved walking trails either during his active Volksmarch days visiting many states with Barbara and his Vizsla, Annie or with friends and grandchildren.
An avid hunter like his father, Jim knew the backroads throughout Logan County. Jim loved riding horses and joined Jill on Morgan and Mike’s first rides. The family thought of him as a dog whisperer because no matter the dog or the behavior he could show you what to do. One of his favorite tricks was walking his dogs with the leash draped over one shoulder.
He was a long-time member of NRA, and took his vacations to volunteer at summer youth camps for his children. In his later years he enjoyed deer hunting in southern Ohio and cherished the time down there with his friends.
Jim and Barbara were active members of First Church in Wapakoneta and they loved being chaperones at youth church camp in Lakeside, Ohio.
A memorial service will be at First Church, 504 Glynwood Road, in Wapakoneta on Saturday, January 25, at 11 a.m. which will be followed by a luncheon. He will be interned at Highland Memory Gardens 5591 U.S. Route 68, West Liberty, OH. His family look forward to seeing his nieces, nephews and friends.
In lieu of flowers, they ask that memorial donations be given to First Church or the Auglaize County Humane Society, 616 N. Dixie Hwy, Wapakoneta, Ohio.