John Robert Morgan's Obituary
John Robert Morgan, a proud 4th generation Texan, died peacefully at home in Dallas, Texas, on Monday, November 27, 2023, at the age of 95. John is survived by his sons Dr. John R. Morgan Jr. (wife Cecilia) and William J. Morgan (wife Lori), all of University Park, Texas; his granddaughters Dr. Margaret Kathleen Morgan (husband Aaron Michelsohn), of Dallas; and Makayla Morgan, and Madeline Morgan both of University Park; and his great-granddaughter Mary Nell and great-grandson Frederick.
John was born on February 6, 1928, in Plano, Texas, to Roy Attis Morgan and Willie Kay Morgan (née Oliver). He spent his early years helping at his father’s general store and icehouse (14th and J in Plano) having fond memories of driving the store truck to deliver ice slabs to customers’ homes at the age of 14. After graduating from Plano High School in 1945, he joined the United States Army toward the end of World War II. He completed basic training at Fort Bliss, but the war ended before he was shipped out to the Pacific. After the War, John made his way to Texas A&M to pursue a degree in Petroleum Engineering, graduating in the class of ’51 as a Distinguished Student. While enjoying his educational pursuits, John’s life was interrupted twice: by a woman and another war. John met Margie Nell Heifner on a blind date and married her in 1950. They were married for 66 years until her passing in 2016.
Soon after John graduated from Texas A&M with a second lieutenant’s commission, the couple were deployed to the Panama Canal Zone during the Korean War. While there they welcomed their first child, John Jr., in 1953. After John was honorably discharged from the Army, the couple bought a home in the Casa Linda area of Dallas where John began a successful career in the oil business. The couple welcomed their second child, William (Jeff), in 1960. John’s career later took the family to Oklahoma City, Amarillo, Midland and finally back to Dallas.
Back in Dallas, John was a member of the Old Wildcatters at the Dallas Petroleum Club. He was ultimately promoted to Senior Vice President of Exploration at Texas Oil & Gas Corp., in charge of the company’s overall oil production. After John’s retirement from the company in 1982, the empty nesters moved to Longview for a few years, followed by a move to the family ranch near Bonham and finally to Fairview.
John enjoyed hunting and fishing. He was an avid Cowboys fan (even post-Tom Landry) and always had to watch his beloved Texas Aggies play football. He was a consumer of classic Westerns (especially Gunsmoke). But his greatest joys in life were his family and his faith in God. John and Margie were members of the First Baptist Church wherever they lived—in Dallas, Amarillo, Midland, Longview, Bonham, and McKinney. The couple also supported numerous Christian ministries and charity hospitals throughout their lives.
Graveside service will be held at 2:00 PM, Monday, December 11, 2023, at Restland Memorial Park in Dallas. All are welcome to attend and celebrate John’s life. In lieu of flowers please donate to your favorite charity.
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