Gary Douglas Morgan

Gary Douglas Morgan, 86, of Highlands Ranch, CO was called home to our Lord on April 19, 2024.

A graveside memorial service will be held at Rose Hill Cemetery in Albion, NE on May 18, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. followed by a celebration of his life.

Memorials are suggested to Roxborough State Park in Littleton, CO.

Gary Douglas Morgan, eldest child of Spencer Douglas Morgan and Maxine Virginia (Aaberg) Morgan, was born on February 3, 1938, in Albion, NE. He was baptized and confirmed at the United Methodist Church in Albion. He graduated from Albion Public High School in 1956 and then attended Wayne State College in Wayne, NE.

On June 8, 1958, Gary was united in marriage to Joan Kay Freese at Zion Lutheran Church in Albion, NE. They lived in Albion and raised two children: Curt and Merridy. Gary began his career as a bank executive at the First National Bank in Albion directly after finishing college and remained there for nearly 25 years. He then took a position with Security Mutual Life in Albion. He also served in the U.S. Army Reserves until his honorable discharge in 1964. He was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Albion and sang in the choir. In his spare time Gary loved hunting and fishing and spending time with family and friends at the lake in Ericson, NE.  He also enjoyed sailing and spent many an afternoon with his sailboat on Lake Ericson and Sherman Reservoir.

In 1993, at the age of 55, Gary and Joan retired and moved to Roxborough, CO. Gary loved being outdoors and a part of nature his entire life. At Roxborough he enjoyed an abundance of wildlife and beautiful views. In his retirement he volunteered at Roxborough State Park and served as a guide taking visitors out on the trails and telling them about the rocks and wildlife in the park. He also began making walking sticks which he donated to the park to sell in their gift shop. This began a hobby that continued until his passing; a few still in his garage that he didn't get a chance to finish. He made and gave away hundreds of walking sticks in his community and to family and friends.

Gary was a gentle, patient man who could find the smallest treasures hidden amongst the trees, lakes, and rivers he so loved. He always had a twinkle in his eye and a quick smile that made it easy to settle in and listen to all the stories he loved to tell. And there were many.

Gary is survived by his wife of 65 years: Joan of Highlands Ranch, CO; two children: Curt Morgan of Highlands Ranch, CO; Merridy (Kenny) Jensen of Castle Pines, CO; two grandchildren: Ty Jensen of Denver, CO;  Ally Jensen of Lone Tree, CO;  sister: Connie Flakus of Aberdeen, SD;  sister-in-law: Janice Wauben of Burlington, NC;  nieces: Carrie (Marty) Johnson of Ft. Pierre, SD;  Mandy (Brett) Rezatto of Aberdeen, SD;  Devara (Kory) Schafer of Albion, NE;  Julie (Dave) Langan of Albion, NE;  Jeni Bogenrief of Seward, NE;  Michelle McIntire of Pleasant Hill, IA;  Jackie Swift-Kurkjian of Sarasota, FL;  nephews: Mike (Karen) Flakus of Sioux Falls, SD;  Sam (Shana) Flakus of Gregory, SD;  Zach (Amy) Flakus of Aberdeen SD;  Doug (Debbie) Morgan of Albion, NE;  Jody (Michelle) Morgan of Cincinnati, OH;  along with great nieces,  great nephews, many cousins, other relatives and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; parents-in-law:  Hans and Lulu Freese; two brothers: Daniel Morgan and Marty Morgan; grandson: Nathan Morgan; three brothers-in-law:  Jim Flakus, Jack (Kathy) Freese and Bill Wauben.