In Memory

Wm John Morgan

Wm John Morgan

 
 
 
MORGAN, John   Mr. John Morgan age 62 of Hiram died Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2009. Funeral services will be held 3 PM Tuesday, December 22, 2009 at Winkenhofer Pine Ridge Funeral Home in Kennesaw. Rev. Rodney Hunt officiating. Born in Racine, WS. Mr. Morgan was a Purchasing Agent and was an active Music Promoter earlier in his career. He as a lifelong member of HOGS and always riding in charity events. He was at the 105 Harley Anniversary in Milwaukee, WS. He was known as Captain Morgan and Cool Breeze in the Atlanta Chapter of HOGS. He enjoyed fishing and believed in Organ Donation. He was a member of MENSA. Proceed in death by Sister, Renee Morgan. Survivors List: Daughter, Mercedes Elizabeth Morgan of Austin, AR; Significant other, Carroll Brandimarte of Dallas, GA; Step-mother, Toshiko Morgan of TX; Brother, Bernie "Skip" Feil of Racine, WS; 3 sisters, Melody Gaastraa of Racine, WS; Beverly Rondone of Racine, WS; Nancy Wise of Green bay, WS; Several nieces and nephews. 
 
PER JIM JENKINS:
 
I was saddened to see that John Morgan had passed away. John and I grew up together... I don't remember when we became friends... he was always there... grade school, junior high, high school. When I was at UW we'd get back together on weekends, vacations, etc. After that, we went our separate ways, as people do.
 
A few years ago, maybe on the website for the last reunion, I saw his email address, and I sent him a note. That led to some nice correspondence back and forth, updating each other on where our lives had gone. I wasn't surprised that he'd gone to the biker lifestyle... he grew up around motorcycles, as his dad was a test driver for Harley Davidson.
 
John grew up poor. His parents were divorced, and his mom was raising several kids on welfare. When I didn't even know what a "check" was, he'd rush home every other Thursday to get the mail and see if his mom had gotten her check. He was instrumental in raising his little siblings... I think there was a brother and a sister, Melodie.
 
John was a fine athlete, but never a jock. He was a natural swimmer and diver, played pretty good tennis, and was one of the best ski jumpers in the Midwest. He never bragged about any of that stuff, though. He just went out and did his best, and was always laid back and easy to be around.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 



 
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11/02/13 11:56 AM #1    

Kathleen Sidwell (Smullen)

Memories with John "Captain" Morgan

Posted by a fellow biker from Georgia

December 25, 2009 at 5:53pm
One of the last photos I took of John during our ride for Operation Sandbox.
One of the last photos I took of John during our ride for Operation Sandbox.
I have been struggling with my feelings over the last three days for not having the strength to walk to the front and share my memories of John during his memorial service. Although I briefly rose to speak I sat back down and took solace in the words of others who had the moxie to walk up and share their stories.

I would like to think if had I followed through these would have been my words:

I only knew John for exactly one year, nearly to the day of his passing. But I got to know him very well in that short year. After having some great conversations with him I learned how he hung out with the likes of Janis Joplin and Freddie Mercury, just to name a notable few.

As an amateur photographer I have to say John was one of the most photogenic bikers I've ever known. You simply could not take a bad photo of the man! Yet, from my perspective, he was a quiet and modest man.

John exuded a sense of dignity and wisdom, so it came as no surprise to me he had a genius I.Q. You felt welcome in his presence. He was among the first folks who welcomed me into the Atlanta HOG chapter. We met at the 2008 chapter Christmas party, then went to Fat Cats afterwards with some other friends. One year later, after the 2009 Christmas party, we returned to Fat Cats where we first introduced ourselves.

My last ride with John was the next morning to deliver our gifts for Operation Sandbox. After that, we rode to have lunch with other members of the chapter. Then we mounted our rides to go our separate ways. Little did I know I would never ride with him again. I had so much more to ask him about his life and yearned to get know him better as a friend. Still, I am grateful to have been his friend and ride a few hundred miles with him in the short year we knew one another.

Cheers to you Captain Morgan. You will ride forever in our hearts

 


11/25/13 11:14 AM #2    

Donald Piggins

Thanks to Jim Jenkins for the comments. In fact, my memories of John had much to do with Jim and, as I recall, the MGA that Jim drove (twin cam ???). While I liked hot rods and customs I always admired the guys who were into foreign sports cars plus all the trips made to Elkhart Lake for thr races and (ahem) the other events that went on over any given weekend. It also did my heart good to see recent photos of John and read of his passion for bikes.

Yes, a low profile guy but one with a lot of class in my books.

 

Don Piggins


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