James O’Connell Morgan
(July 21, 1918 – August 20, 2013)
James O’Connell Morgan was an artist, veteran of WWII, loyal husband and father of six. He was founder of Morgan Studio (Cleveland, OH), the advertising, art and photography business which he ran for the better part of four decades. The Cleveland native later lived in Key Biscayne, FL and Keller, TX with his wife Mary until her passing in 2011. He then moved to Tampa, FL
Morgan was a graduate of St. Ignatius High School and John Carroll University. At John Carroll he was on the Big Four championship team in 1939 and was inducted into JCU’s Sports Hall of Fame. He also studied at Pratt Institute of Design in New York City.
He was a soldier during World War II. First enlisting and later entering officer candidate school (OCS). He served his country with honor for over four years.
After his time in the U.S. Army, he began his career at Malmquist Studio until he founded Morgan Studio in 1951 as “the architects of the printed page.”
He was a devoted husband to Mary Lawton Morgan. They were married December 19, 1942. Mary passed away in May 2011. They were married for 69 years. James and Mary had six children: Sundance in New Orleans LA, Mary Lynn in Columbus OH, Wesley in St Louis MO, Gregory in Tampa FL, Daniel in Lakewood OH, and Robert in San Francisco CA. James is survived by nine grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
Memorial Service will be held at Saint Luke’s Catholic Church in Lakewood OH at 11:00 AM on September 14, 2013. James & Mary Morgan will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery. Reception to follow.
In lieu of flowers, please contribute to the American Red Cross, Tampa Bay Chapter
I’m sorry for your loss. James left a wonderful legacy.
So sorry about James passing. I always remember the days we played tennis.He was a dear friend and it was an honor and a pleasure to have known him.
May your Dad rest in peace.
Julie Bell
Our heartfelt condolences to the entire and extended Morgan family, and special thoughts for our good friends Dan and Annette who we hope to see soon. Even as you grieve, may you celebrate what was obviously a full life, dedicated to family, country and creativity. Patti and Mark
SATURDAY, AUGUST 31, 2013
Bang!
Game Over. Or so it seems.
Tommy Murphy is outraged;
“It isn’t fair” he screams.
Once again the result is staged,
Yet we execute each play:
Run, cut, fake and catch the Pass.
Another Cereal Bowl in the books on a fine Autumn day
With time left over to go to 5 o’clock Mass.
In the cold grey dawn,
The rules are never disputed.
Like Kennedys on the lawn;
Roses are red, Weeds are rooted,
In the end it doesn’t matter if you win.
All the world is a stage;
The play is the thing;.
The best of times at such an age.
It’s how you play the game you see;
No effort goes unrewarded, stay on the field.
What happens under the Buckeye tree,
You think isn’t fair but in time it may be revealed;
In Shoreway seminars to and from Edgewater Drive,
Or in Reading the newspaper before you arrive,
Or between those hours – Nine until Five.
Between the hours of nine and five.
Type, Keyline, Flap and Tissue,
Caxton Building loading dock
Delivered right, that’s the issue.
East Side, West Side all around the clock
Attention to production and design,
Annual Reports arrived last night.
Photography and Illustration with a fine line
Because of Jim, the job is done right (and on time).
We are the dreamers of dreams
And we cherish each moment as it goes by.
Life is too short but the legacy lives in the gleams
Of Sons and Daughters who wonder why
The great man passes.
Murph was right: It isn’t fair.
The great man passes.
Bang! All of us were there