Sam Morgan

Sam Morgan, 84, of Jonesboro, was born October 14, 1927 in Guy, Arkansas to W.A. and Ada Morgan. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth; his parents, five brothers, Vernon, Noel, Elmer, Garlon, and W.A. Jr., two sisters, Elsie Tucker and Ruby Thompson Norris.

Survivors are two sisters, Edna Mae McGough and Mary Ruth Scholes, both of Jonesboro and many nieces and nephews. He was married to Ruth Cooper, the love of his life, in Piggott, Arkansas on May 26, 1948.

He served in the U.S. Army in Japan in 1947 – 48 with six of his high school classmates from Piggott, Arkansas. He graduated from SE Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau, Missouri with a degree in education in 1953. He also received an MA in Education Administration from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois.

He taught school at Holly Island Elementary, then in Evanston, Illinois at Haven Junior High School followed by Highland Park High School in Highland Park, Michigan. He then taught at Seaholm High School in Birmingham, Michigan where he was in the Math Department until he retired in 1986. Sam’s occupation as a high school math teacher was an avocation, never a job. One of his most challenging students was Tim “The Tool Man” Allen.

He moved to Jonesboro in 1987. He was the last member of the “Morgan Mafia” as they were dubbed by the Jonesboro Country Club where he enjoyed his favorite pastime on the golf course with his brothers.

Sam was a kind southern gentleman who was also a supportive caregiver to many of his family members. He loved playing acoustic and electric guitar and was also an avid reader, bowler, and fisherman.

He was a member of Normandy Road Baptist Church in Royal Oak, Michigan and of the National Education Association and the Arkansas Education Association.

Funeral services will be 2:00 Thursday, August 9, 2012 at the Hoggard Funeral Home in Piggott, with Jerry Morgan officiating and Emerson Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. Burial will follow at the Piggott Cemetery with family and friends serving as pallbearers. Visitation will be from 1-2 at Hoggard Funeral Home.

For those wishing to leave lasting memorials please consider the Alzheimer's Association Oklahoma/Arkansas Chapter, 2448 E. 81st Street, Suite 3000, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74137-4250, or a charity of your choice. .