John G. Morgan

John Gabriel Morgan, 94, died Friday, October 11, 2013 at Hubbard Hospice House in Charleston, WV. He was born in Putnam County on the family farm on July 28, 1919 to Dr. Rembrandt Morgan Sr. and Anna Evaline Smith Morgan. He was their firstborn. He plowed fields with horses with his father, and with his mother made many trips across the river in a johnboat to trade eggs and butter for flour and sugar at Poca. He graduated from Winfield High School and went on to graduate from Morris Harvey College. He was in the Coast Guard during WWII, sailing to Guam to bring back the wounded, but believed that he was undeserving of any praise since many others gave all. Morgan covered the Statehouse for more than 30 years, recording partisan battles and corruption scandals. He also did extensive historical research, producing a Gazette book on West Virginia governors that still is a staple in schools and libraries -- and producing a history of Charleston. He joined the Gazette staff in 1947. In the 1950s, he was awarded a Reid Fellowship for 18 months of study in India and Pakistan. He loved India, Pakistan, and their people. Upon his return, he married Rita Avanelle Cox of Nicholas County. She greeted him as he got off the boat in San Franscisco, and they said their vows on July 19, 1955. They spent their honeymoon returning to WV by train, taking the southern route into Florida. He loved teaching his family to play chess, and was the most patient of men. He was humble to a fault. However, he jogged into his 90’s, could recite the Gettysburg Address and the Desiderata, the presidents and their vice presidents in order, and could name every county seat of every county in WV upon demand. Morgan was a longtime member of Christ Church United Methodist. He retired to his East End home in 1982 and spent most of his time traveling with and caring for his wife Rita, until her death in 2007. Others who preceded him in death are brother, Rembrandt Jr., and baby sister Martha. Surviving are two daughters, Sarah Morgan (Charles E. Douglas) of St. Albans and Laura (Rick) Ewalt of Nashville, Tenn., and grandsons, Travis Moles, Jason (Marina Enikeeva) Rhizor, and Alexander (Alexandra) Rhizor, and many loving nieces, nephews, and in-laws as well as numerous extended family members. Funeral service will be held at 3pm Tuesday, October 15, 2013 in the chapel of Christ Church United Methodist, 1221 Quarrier Street, Charleston, with Rev. Dr. Randy Flanagan officiating. Burial will follow in the ancestral, Morgan Family Cemetery, Winfield. Visitation will be held from 1:30pm until time of service in the Potter Room of Christ Church. Chapman Funeral Home, 3624 Winfield Road, Winfield is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, please send donations in any amount to Christ Church United Methodist, 1221 Quarrier Street, Charleston, WV 25301 or to the St. Albans Historical Society (WV), 404 Fourth Avenue, St. Albans, WV 25177 towards preservation of Morgan’s Kitchen, a relic of the family farm.

John G. Morgan

July 28, 1919 - October 11, 2013