Franklin James Morgan, age 86, born in Mansfield, Pa., to Ada May O’Melion and Franklin James Morgan, passed away on April 26, 2019, at Tidewell Hospice House, Venice, FL. He spent the first seven years of his life growing up in Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia. Frank had many memories living with his mother in Belle, W. Va., and his grandmother, Carrie G. O’Melion (Mosher) (Poland) and grandfather Peter “Papa” O’Melion (Poland) in rural Yawkey, W. Va. Frank and his mother moved to Troy, Pa., in 1942. Frank’s mother married Leon E. Brown, and Frank worked on Leon’s farm while providing his neighbors a helping hand at 10-15 cents an hour. Frank had fond memories of his step-sister Dorothy Cooke. Frank graduated from high school in Troy, Pa., and entered the USAF as a draftsman in 1951 during the Korean War. Frank’s four years of service included; basic training at Sampson Air Force Base in Seneca Lake, N.Y., Advanced Engineering Training at Ft. Belvoir, Va., and three years stationed at RAF Burtonwood in Warrington, England. Frank transferred to Strategic Air Command in Mountain Home, ID, where he finished his military service.
Frank married Audrey Jean Merritt at Church of Christ (Disciples of Christ) on Oct. 15, 1955, in Canton, Pa.. The couple initially lived in Elmira Heights, NY where Frank worked as a draftsman for Westinghouse, then as a draftsman at American LaFrance, clerked at a drugstore, and attended night school working towards an engineering degree. After the birth of their first child, Deborah, in 1957, the couple moved to Elmira, N.Y. In 1960, the family moved to Embarrass, Wis., and Frank began working at FWD Corporation as a truck designer. The family grew with the addition of Trent in 1960 and Kimberly in 1961. In 1962 the family moved back to Lowman, N.Y., where Frank once again worked for American LaFrance and in 1963 welcomed Timothy to the family. In the spring of 1964, the family moved back to Clintonville, Wis., and Frank returned to work for FWD until 1971. Frank went into business with John Dando and began the Clintonville Fire Apparatus Company in 1971. In 1976, Frank returned to work for FWD until his retirement in 1996. He continued to consult for FWD until 1997. In 1997, Audrey, Frank’s wife of 42 years, passed away after a battle with a brain aneurysm and ALS. In 2002, Frank enjoyed living out his retirement years in Venice, Fla., with his new companion, best friend, and former high school classmate, Sally R. Shaw. Sally was by his side when he passed.
Frank married Audrey Jean Merritt at Church of Christ (Disciples of Christ) on Oct. 15, 1955, in Canton, Pa.. The couple initially lived in Elmira Heights, NY where Frank worked as a draftsman for Westinghouse, then as a draftsman at American LaFrance, clerked at a drugstore, and attended night school working towards an engineering degree. After the birth of their first child, Deborah, in 1957, the couple moved to Elmira, N.Y. In 1960, the family moved to Embarrass, Wis., and Frank began working at FWD Corporation as a truck designer. The family grew with the addition of Trent in 1960 and Kimberly in 1961. In 1962 the family moved back to Lowman, N.Y., where Frank once again worked for American LaFrance and in 1963 welcomed Timothy to the family. In the spring of 1964, the family moved back to Clintonville, Wis., and Frank returned to work for FWD until 1971. Frank went into business with John Dando and began the Clintonville Fire Apparatus Company in 1971. In 1976, Frank returned to work for FWD until his retirement in 1996. He continued to consult for FWD until 1997. In 1997, Audrey, Frank’s wife of 42 years, passed away after a battle with a brain aneurysm and ALS. In 2002, Frank enjoyed living out his retirement years in Venice, Fla., with his new companion, best friend, and former high school classmate, Sally R. Shaw. Sally was by his side when he passed.
Surviving him are his four children; Deborah L. Webster (Bruce D.) of Eden Prairie, Minn., Trent J. Morgan (Laure J. Komorowski) of Oshkosh, Wis., Kimberly D. Hollman (Michael R.) of Tomahawk, Wis., and Timothy W. Morgan (Jean M. Murphy-Morgan) of Clintonville, Wis.
Surviving him are his eleven grandchildren; Lynne M. Thompson (Scott J.) of Chaska, Minn., and Scott D. Webster of Belle Plaine, Minn., Tanya M. Morgan of Pahoa, Hawaii, Levi F. Morgan of Columbus, Wis., Jacey J. Morgan of Oshkosh, Wis., Kaitlyn M. Hollman of Evansville, Ill., Lee M. Hollman of Wheaton, Ill., Nathan R. Morgan (Jessica L. Klingbeil) of Clintonville, Wis., Garrick L. Morgan (fiancée Laura E. Doemel) of Milwaukee, Wis., Theresa J.A. Murphy of Clintonville, Wis., and Jeralyn J.E. Murphy of Clintonville, Wis..
Surviving him also are his four great-grandchildren; Gwyneviere A. Morgan of Columbus, Wis. (daughter of Levi F. Morgan and Shelby L. Bannen), Maddox J. Morgan (son of Nathan and Jessi), Audrey L. Thompson (daughter of Lynne and Scott), and Ronin M. Bradley (son of Tanya M. Morgan and Gene M. Bradley).
Those of the family whose loss is also mourned; his wife Audrey Morgan, his father Franklin Morgan, his mother Ada O’Melion (Hurlburt) (Brown) (Morgan) (Knapp), his step-father Harry Hurlburt, his step-father Leon Brown, and his step-sister Dorothy Cooke (Brown).
A small private family memorial service is planned. The family requests in lieu of flowers, any memorials be made to United Methodist Church, 24 13 St., Clintonville, Wis. 54929, memo Frank Morgan Children’s Camp Fund.
Surviving him are his eleven grandchildren; Lynne M. Thompson (Scott J.) of Chaska, Minn., and Scott D. Webster of Belle Plaine, Minn., Tanya M. Morgan of Pahoa, Hawaii, Levi F. Morgan of Columbus, Wis., Jacey J. Morgan of Oshkosh, Wis., Kaitlyn M. Hollman of Evansville, Ill., Lee M. Hollman of Wheaton, Ill., Nathan R. Morgan (Jessica L. Klingbeil) of Clintonville, Wis., Garrick L. Morgan (fiancée Laura E. Doemel) of Milwaukee, Wis., Theresa J.A. Murphy of Clintonville, Wis., and Jeralyn J.E. Murphy of Clintonville, Wis..
Surviving him also are his four great-grandchildren; Gwyneviere A. Morgan of Columbus, Wis. (daughter of Levi F. Morgan and Shelby L. Bannen), Maddox J. Morgan (son of Nathan and Jessi), Audrey L. Thompson (daughter of Lynne and Scott), and Ronin M. Bradley (son of Tanya M. Morgan and Gene M. Bradley).
Those of the family whose loss is also mourned; his wife Audrey Morgan, his father Franklin Morgan, his mother Ada O’Melion (Hurlburt) (Brown) (Morgan) (Knapp), his step-father Harry Hurlburt, his step-father Leon Brown, and his step-sister Dorothy Cooke (Brown).
A small private family memorial service is planned. The family requests in lieu of flowers, any memorials be made to United Methodist Church, 24 13 St., Clintonville, Wis. 54929, memo Frank Morgan Children’s Camp Fund.
