LaJara – Longtime Sanford resident Lowell Gene Morgan, 79, passed away on December 4, 2012, at the Conejos County Hospital under Hospice Care surrounded by his loving family.
Lowell was born April 18, 1933, in Sanford, the son of Hemming V. and Edith L. Morgan. He married his sweetheart of 49 years, Karen R. Parker on June 27, 1963, for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake Temple.
Lowell was drafted and served in the United States Army during the Korean War. He served as a faithful missionary in the Southern States for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Lowell was a graduate of Adams State College in Alamosa and held Bachelor Degrees in English, Political Science, and History, as well as a Masters Degree in English. He taught and drove the bus in the North Conejos School District for 31 years.
He was an active member of the Sanford Second Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and held many positions including Bishop of the ward. One of his favorite callings was working in the extraction program. Lowell enjoyed working with his wife in the Albuquerque Temple for several years. Lowell was an avid reader, he especially enjoyed reading the scriptures. He loved ranching, teaching, and most especially loved and cherished spending time with his family.
Lowell is survived by his loving wife Karen Morgan of Sanford; his children Sheri (Les) Crowther of Sanford, Jennifer (Bob) Timmons of Buckeye, AZ, David (Carol) Morgan of Sanford, George (Melissa) Morgan of Loveland, CO, Melinda (Kory) Russell of Sanford and Lynne Morgan of Alamosa; his grandchildren: Keri, Kimberly, Rhonda, Michelle, and Marli Crowther; Erika (Tom) Starits, Kyle (Jennifer), and Jeffrey Medina, Jessica Timmons; Jessica, Jonathon, and Justin Morgan; Kayla, Kristina, Tyler, Jaromy, Jaelyn, Daniel, and Aliyah Morgan; Morgan, Erin, Addie, Ryan, and Zoey Russell; Sean and Dustin Snook; two great-grandchildren Noah and Makenna Starits; his sister Georgeanna (Kenneth) Joseph of Spring, TX, his brother H. LaMont (Janet) Morgan of Sanford; his brother-in-law E. Decker Haynie of La Jara; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and extended family.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, LaDonne Haynie, and his grandson Joshua Morgan.
A Visitation will be held on Friday, December 7, 2012, from 7:00-8:30 p.m. at the Rogers Family Mortuary in Manassa. A Visitation will be held at the Sanford Second Ward Relief Society Room from 9:00-10:45 a.m. on Saturday, December 8, 2012, followed by a Funeral Service at 11:00 a.m. at the Sanford Second Ward Chapel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Interment with military honors will follow services in the Sanford Cemetery.