James Morgan

James Charles (Jim) Morgan died on December 24, 2010 as a result of complications stemming from an inoperable brain tumor. Jim was born on September 11, 1923 in Little Rock. Since his mother died before he was two years old, he spent his early childhood years with his grandparents near Timbo, Arkansas. Before his seventh birthday, he moved to Little Rock with his father and step-mother. He attended West Side Junior High and Little Rock High School where he lettered in football, basketball and track. He was nominated to attend the U.S. Military Academy, but during his acceptance physical it was discovered that he had tuberculosis. From the summer of 1941 until late that year, he resided at a sanatorium for TB patients.
In January 1942, Jim married Lois M. McPherson. They had two sons, Jimmie Lee Morgan, now deceased, and William D. Morgan, a current resident of Frisco, Texas. Jim entered the Army in 1942 and served as an aircraft mechanic during World War II. After playing basketball for a short time at the University of Arkansas, Jim entered the Air Force and retired in 1963. He had tours of duty in Germany, Oklahoma, Canada, New York, Tennessee, Texas and Washington. He retired as a chief master sergeant and returned to Little Rock.
There he worked for AO Smith, Dassault Falcon Jet and started three businesses. He patented two hinges and derivatives of those hinges are in the cabinetry of executive jets, commercial jets, yachts and trains. He continued working with the hinge business until late 2009. In 1965, he joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served faithfully in several positions for the remainder of his life. He loved sharing his beliefs about the gospel with others.
In 2004, his first wife died after 62 years of marriage. He later married Billie Nicholas, but she died within several months of their wedding. In 2006, he moved to Frisco, Texas to be near his son and daughter-in-law, William and Linda Vaughan Morgan and his grandchildren, Angela Romney and husband, Kimball, Suzanne Morgan, and three great-granddaughters, Maya, Adrienne and Morgan Romney. In addition to those family members, he is survived by his brother, Richard Morgan of Conway, Arkansas and his extended family, as well as his brother-in-law, Dave McPherson of Alexander, Arkansas and his family.
Services will be held on Thursday, December 30 at 10:00 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 13901 Quail Run Drive, Little Rock, followed by interment with Military Honors at the Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery in North Little Rock. Visitation will be Wednesday evening from 6-8 p.m. at Little Rock Funeral Home, 8801 Knoedl Ct. (NW corner I-630 and Barrow Rd.), Little Rock.
Arrangements by Little Rock Funeral Home, (501)224-2200. Mr. Morgan's online guestbook may be signed at www.littlerockfuneralhome.com.