Richard Morgan

Richard Allan Morgan, 86, of Cape Girardeau passed on to his heavenly home surrounded by his family Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2016, at the Missouri Veterans Home.

He was born Dec. 24, 1929, in Cape Girardeau to Thomas O. and Ida Idell Kinder Morgan.

He grew up in Whitewater and graduated from Delta High School. He served his country in the Navy aboard the USS Missouri from 1948 to 1950.

On March 17, 1951, he married the love of his life, Patsy Quade, in Bell City, Missouri.

With the onset of the Korean War, he again served his country from 1951 to 1953 with the Army 40th Infantry Division in Korea. He was assigned to the 578th Engineer Battalion, and it was there he honed his skills as a heavy-equipment operator, which he used over the rest of his life. He was honorably discharged at the rank of staff sergeant.

Richard worked in the excavating field, which suited his love of the outdoors. He had the ability to envision and change landscapes from plots of dirt to beautiful lakes with his bulldozer. Many of the ponds and lakes in the area are the result of his labor.

In 1968, he and Patsy created Hidden Valley Fishing Club near Gravel Hill, and it still serves as a testament to his vision of a place of retreat. Instead of retiring, he spent his later years doing what he loved, working outdoors and managing land for Dr. Charles Cozean.

Though he had a quiet demeanor, his integrity, moral character and strong faith in God were evident to everyone who knew him, and he never hesitated to help those in need. He was an amazing husband, dad, grandfather and great-grandfather, and he will be greatly missed.

Loving survivors include a son, Michael (Marsha) Morgan of Cape Girardeau; two daughters, Barbara (Gary) Kuelker of Washington, Missouri, and Sarah (Jim) Davis of Cape Girardeau; seven grandchildren, Rachael (Blake) Tenkhoff of Kansas City, Missouri, Zachary Morgan of Cape Girardeau, Megan Ulrich of Crested Butte, Colorado, Samuel, Nathan and Anna Davis, all of Cape Girardeau, and Jill Jones of Cape Coral, Florida; and a great-grandson, Brycen Jones. Also surviving are a sister, Mary Aleene (Norvel) Wampler of Jackson; two sisters-in-law, Ruby Cook of Jackson and Betty Brucker of Delta; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife and his parents.

Richard was a member of Christ Lutheran Church in Gordonville.

Visitation will be from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Christ Lutheran Church.

The funeral service will be at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at the church, with the Rev. Mark Boettcher officiating. Interment will be in Christ Lutheran Church Cemetery in Gordonville following the service. There will be graveside military honors.

Memorials may take the form of contributions to Christ Lutheran Church.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.

McCombs Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau is in charge of arrangements.