Merle R. Morgan

Merle Morgan

Merle R. Morgan, 95, of Marietta, Ohio, passed away at Grant Medical Center in Columbus, Ohio on September 01, 2023, surrounded by his family. He was born in Marietta, Ohio, to Freeman Morgan and Junia Etta Hinton.

Merle Royden Morgan enlisted in the United States Air Force on April 11, 1946, serving as a Clerk Typist and Radio Mechanic, Aircraft Equipment, for the 46th Communications Squadron at Barksdale Air Force Base, LA, and in overseas in Japan. In 1952, Merle enlisted in the U.S. Army and earned two military occupational specialties as Microbarograph Equipment Repairman (33E2H) and Intercept Demultiplex Systems Repairman (33R2H) carrying out his duties at Signal Units located in Hokkaido, Japan, and San Francisco, CA. In 1965, Specialist Sixth Class Merle Morgan graduated from the instructor training course at Headquarters, Army Security Agency School, Fort Devens, MA, where he served his last tour of duty as an instructor. Specialist Sixth Class (SP6) Morgan proudly served the United States Air Force, United States Army, and his country for over twenty-two years before retiring on 1 November 1968. His personal awards include an Army Commendation Medal, Good Conduct Medal (3), World War II Victory Medal, National Defense Medal w/OLC, Army Occupation Medal (Japan), Sharpshooter Badge Rifle (M-14), and Marksman Badge Rifle (Carbine). Specialist Six Morgan’s Merle was also a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion.

Merle loved the Lord and was a beloved father, grandfather, and ” Papap” of Sophie. His family valued his creativity particularly his poems and sketches. Merle was an active member of the First Baptist Church where he married the love of his life in 1953, Judith N. Myers, who preceded him in 1995. Merle was also preceded by his parents, eight brothers, four sisters and children Catherine Sparks, Brian Morgan and stepsons Gary Burlson, James Burlson. He was also preceded by second wife Hazel Bell Hancock in 2014. Survivors include children Dale Morgan (Donna) of Webster, MA, Laura Dye (Larry) of Marietta, and stepdaughter Brenda Ellis, 13 grandchildren, and several great grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

A Memorial Service will be held at First Baptist Church in Marietta on Wednesday September 6, 2023, at 2 pm; family will greet friends immediately following the ceremony. The burial will be at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida, with arrangements made by Heirs-Baxley Funeral Services, 910 SE Silver Springs Blvd, Ocala, FL 34471.

In lieu of flowers, a Memorial Donation may be made to the First Baptist Church in Marietta.