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Donal H. 'Don' Morgan Mc Cook, NE QCWA # 16925 Chapter 25 |
On January 7, 2020, after 93 years of life, Dr. Donal H. Morgan offered up his last breath and was welcomed into the arms of his Maker.
Donal Harlan Morgan was born to Dr. Donal and Helen (Banta) Morgan on December 13, 1926 in McCook, Nebraska. Don was baptized and confirmed in St. Alban's Episcopal church and attended Eastward grade school, McCook Junior High School and graduated from McCook High School in 1943. After graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy where he served 22 months and was honorably discharged in 1946. Upon discharge from the Navy, he returned to the University of Nebraska where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in 1948. He went on to continue his studies at the University of Nebraska College of Medicine, where he graduated with his Doctorate in Medicine in 1952. After completing his internship at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis, IN, Don returned to McCook to begin his medical practice with his father.
Don was married to Ruth DeBaufre on August 21, 1949 and to this union was born four boys: Donal, David, Michael, and Richard. Don and Ruth were married nearly 56 years before her passing in 2005.
Don married his long-time friend, Doris Griffen, on March 18, 2006, and enjoyed life with her until her passing in 2007.
On September 23, 2010 Don married Diane Gross, who walked by his side for the remainder of his time on this earth.
Don enjoyed many hobbies as a young man, and one can still hear stories of his hypnosis abilities, his Libelle glider adventures, his ham radio operations and his computer programming skills, but the stories one might hear most often in McCook are those reminiscent of Dr. Morgan. Dr. Morgan served his community as a family physician for more than thirty years. Over the course of these thirty plus years he brought many new lives into the world, saved many lives, and walked beside many in their final days. He was instrumental in the building of McCook Community Hospital as well as opening McCook Clinic. He was influential in training many of the fine physicians that McCook has benefited from over the years, and his legacy of superb medical care can be heard and felt in the stories of those blessed to have been his patients.
Don is proceeded in death by his parents; his sister, Marilyn Helleberg; his wife, Ruth; his wife, Doris; and his grandson, Michael Morgan Jr.
Don is survived by his wife Diane; his son, Donal and wife, Juanita, of Las Cruces, NM, his son, David, of McCook, NE, his son, Michael and wife, Jill, of Indianola, NE, his son, Richard and, wife Ann, of Bailey, CO; ten grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren; as well as many extended family and friends.