James L Morgan

James L. Morgan, 82, Taylor Ridge, IL passed away on Thursday, November 16, 2023 at Friendship Manor, Rock Island. There will be a Memorial Mass at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, November 22, 2023 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Andalusia. Memorials may be made to the Q.C. Habitat for Humanity.

Jim was born on June 2, 1941 to Charles and Kathryn (Hunt) Morgan in Virginia, IL. After high school, he started his 38-year career with the Corp of Engineers where he was a Lock Master at Lock and Dam 15 until his retirement. He could spot a tow boat from miles away and know the name and captain.

On July 26, 1959 he was united in marriage to Barbara Lain. The couple made their home in Taylor Ridge where they raised their children. They were members of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church.

Jim loved spending time outdoors whether it was hunting, fishing, boating, waterskiing, snowmobiling, or driving his tractor. He also enjoyed tending to their large vegetable garden and racing to harvest the first radishes in the neighborhood.

Jim was admired for being an active volunteer throughout the community, including his 30 plus years at the Lion’s Club where he had served as president and zone chairman. During Hurricane Katrina, Jim spent months in New Orleans assisting with the cleanup.

Jim’s booming voice and wonderful sense of humor will be greatly missed by his wife of 64 years, Barbara; daughters, Danita (Boyd) Harrison, Dannette (Gary) Suding; sisters, Charaldine (Jim) Smith, Linda (Ron) O’Rear, Barbara (Rick) Metcalf, Kathy (Jeff) McPherson; grandchildren, Charity Ziegenhorn, Mackenzie Johnson, Amy Nguyen, Amber Popat, Morgan Harrison, Logan Calvelage, and Quenton Calvelage; and 8 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

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