The Daily Southerner, Tarboro, NC

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  • Shannon Keith

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June 2, 2009

A COMMUNITY REMEMBERS

Tom Morgan lived a 'life of service'

Paul Crake said his father-in-law, U.S. Army veteran Paul Thomas "Tom" Morgan, served his country the same way he lived his life.

"We remember Tom as a husband, daddy, granddaddy, brother and a friend," said Drake. "Tom lived his life with the same values with which he served his country: honor, truth, integrity, hard work and determination."

Morgan was honored Monday at the monthly flag-raising ceremony at the Veterans Memorial on the Tarboro Town Common.

The flag-raising ceremonies, sponsored by the Tarboro Golden Kiwanis, are held each month for deceased Edgecombe County veterans and other vets who have ties to the area.

The ceremonies are usually held on the first Monday of each month.

The honorees' American flags, which were given to their respective families by the military, are flown over the Veterans Memorial for that month.

Memorabilia from the deceased is also put on display for the month in the Edgecombe County Veterans Museum at 106 W. Church St. in downtown Tarboro.

The Tarboro High School Air Force Junior ROTC cadets are responsible for the flag detail each month.

Tarboro's JROTC Cadet Commander, Cadet Col. Sean Howard was in command Monday, which was the senior's last flag detail before graduation.

"It has really been an honor," said Howard.

Morgan’s ceremony marks the 80th ceremony, which have been scheduled through July 2010.

A native of Vance County, Morgan and his twin brother Bob were born on Sept. 20, 1932, to Robert and Thelma Morgan.

Morgan was raised on his family's tobacco farm in the community of Townsville, where he attended and graduated from Townsville High School.

"Tom and I liked to tell people that we graduated in the top 10 of our class," said Bruce Guerrant, a life-long friend of Morgan. "Of course there were only 10 of us in the class."

After graduation, Morgan attended NC State College, where he received a bachelors degree in agricultural education.

In February of 1955 Tom, along with his twin brother Bob, were drafted into

the United States Army.

"They left the family farm in Townsville and traveled by bus to Raleigh to get what they thought would just be physicals," said Drake. "They thought they would return to Townsville that day and get orders later.

"Much to their surprise, they were sent straight to Fort Jackson, S.C., where they

were inducted into the U.S. Army."

Morgan and his brother were later sent to Fort Reilly, Kan., for basic training.

After basic training, the brothers were shipped to Kitzingen, Germany, to serve in the 10th Infantry Division, an Occupation Division in occupied Germany.

"They were a part of a new army experiment, where all those that were

drafted together were kept together for their entire service," said Drake. "They went

through basic training, shipped out and served together in Germany the

entire time. They were all discharged together, also."

Morgan's unit were sent back to the United States on Christmas Eve in 1956.

"That must have been a great Christmas present that year, coming home to the states," said Drake.

Morgan, his brother and the rest of their unit, had served together since basic training, were all discharged together in January of 1957.

After his military service was over, Morgan returned to Townsville, where he began his career in Agriculture Education.

In 1957, Married married Betty Vann Cummings. The couple had three girls, Susan, Melissa and Pam.

In 1964, Morgan joined the Farm Credit System where he worked as a Loan

Officer with the Federal Land Bank and Production Credit Associations in

Washington and Tarboro.

Morgan moved to Macclesfield in 1967, where he continued to work with the Federal Land Bank, where he retired as a Regional Vice President in 1988.

Morgan was remarried in April of 1985 to Judy Gardner.

After retirement, Morgan continued his life of service in his community.

"He was an active member of the Macclesfield Christian Church, where he

served as deacon, elder and Sunday School teacher," said Drake. "He served his community through his church, as a Mason and as a Lions club and Ruritan club member."

Morgan passed away in 2003 at the age of 70.

"As we remember Tom, it is hard to put into words all the attributes that Tom

stood for," said Drake. "We honor Tom Morgan today as an army veteran of this great country and, most of all, as a true community leader."

"We will soon have our 60th class reunion," said Guerrant. "Tom will be missed, but I promise you he will not be forgotten."









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