Murray Francis Morgan

Murray Morgan, age 92, of Fort Collins passed away gently and peacefully, June 9 at Clare Bridge of Fort Collins. He was born in Laramie, Wyoming, on January 10, 1922, the eldest child to Frank J. and Myrtle Scott Morgan. Murray was proud of his Wyoming and Irish heritage. His grandfather emigrated from Ireland and came West with the U.S. Army Cavalry in 1873 and settled in Laramie. Murray graduated from Laramie High School in 1940 and attended the University of Wyoming. In 1942, he married Marian Hall Morgan in Laramie and had two sons. Marian and Murray divorced in 1967. In 1977, he married Helen Wich of Fort Collins, who predeceased him in 1995. Murray loved to travel and was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed boating, fishing, and hunting. However, his true passion was music; he was a jazz saxophonist and an accomplished dancer, a man who genuinely favored the sounds of the "Big Band" era. Fortunately he passed down his love of music and dancing to his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. At the young age of 90, he loved to dance with his great granddaughters. Murray will be most remembered by friends and family for his brilliant sense of humor, gentlemanly manner, and devoted attention to those he loved and befriended. He will be missed by all who knew him. Aside from possessing numerous talents, most importantly, Murray was a proud patriot. While serving as a U.S. Army Air Corps pilot during WWII, he participated in several South Pacific campaigns that included flying combat missions in the Solomon Islands, South Philippines and Luzon. Following WWII, Murray once again answered his country's call by piloting over 100 aerial missions in direct support of the Berlin Airlift. He was subsequently awarded the Air Medal for this meritorious achievement. At the time of his discharge in October 1949, Murray was a B-29 pilot with the 97th Bomb Group. After his military service, Murray returned to Laramie in 1949 to work for the Union Pacific Railroad as a brakeman and conductor. As a senior conductor, Murray then moved to Fort Collins in 1970 where he completed a record 51 total years of Union Pacific employment at the time of his retirement in 1991. Murray is survived by his two sons, Roger Kathy Morgan of Fort Collins, and Ronald Joan Morgan of Mancos, CO; stepson Stan Christi Wich of Fort Collins, and stepdaughter Susan Steve Wich Rodriguez of Colorado Springs; grandchildren Kerry, Mindy, Christopher and Michelle Morgan; step grandchildren Cassie and Randy Wich, Ashley Rodriguez; and four great grandchildren. The family would like to send special thanks to the staff and residents of Clare Bridge of Fort Collins for the loving community they offered Murray during the last 16 months of his life. Their devoted efforts deeply enriched his final days. Memorial contributions can be made to the Alzheimer's Association in care of Bohlender Funeral Chapel, 121 W. Olive, Fort Collins, CO 80524. At Murray's request there will be no memorial service. Military funeral services will be held at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Denver at a future date.

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Murray Francis Morgan

June 18, 2014 - June 18, 2014