BOB MORGAN
An old cowboy died Aug. 26, 2014. Robert Eugene “Bob” Morgan came to the end of the trail at his home on the T-Bar Ranch on Turnbull Hollar. He had reached the age of 89 years, 5 months, 29 days.
He began his life March 30, 1925, in Skiatook, Okla. He was born to Ross and Minnie Billups Morgan, one of eight children. He grew up on the green grass prairies of Osage and Washington Counties learning to be a cowboy on some of the widespread cattle ranches of the area. He attended schools in Vera, Ramona and Skiatook. Growing up in the depression, he learned the value of hard work. This work ethic grounded him throughout his life as he sought out opportunities and experiences.
In 1943, he joined the Army Air Corp Cadets and trained to be a pilot, but due to a heart murmur, he was unable to meet the criteria to become a pilot. He was reassigned to the 35th Squadron Support Group as a cryptographer and shipped out to the South Pacific.
After the war ended, he returned home and met and married Dorma “Tinker” Smith in 1946. They were blessed with almost 64 years of marriage.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Henry, Tom, S.P. and Ralph; sisters, Sally and Patsy; and his wife, Tinker.
He is survived by his four children, Darlene Pinc and husband, John, of Kirkwood, Mo., Robert “Rusty” Morgan Jr. and wife, Patricia, of West Chester, Ohio, Carol and husband, Larry Fletcher, of Newburg, Mo., and Terry Morgan and wife, Elisa, of Fair Grove, Mo.; five grandchildren, Janelle Sardina and husband, Alfredo, of Frostproof, Fla., Laina Hendricks and husband, Jeff, of Lebanon, Mo., Rena Humphrey and husband, Jason, of Plato, Mo., Dr. William Pinc, Ph.D. and wife, Victoria, of Toledo, Ohio, and Bailee Morgan of Fair Grove, Mo.; and four great-grandchildren, Mason and Brody Hendricks, Jordan Pinc and Morgan Humphrey. Bob is also survived by his sister, Latha Burdette of Skiatook, Okla., and sister-in-law, Morene Morgan Billups of Bartlesville, Okla. He leaves many nieces, nephews, extended family and numerous friends to mourn and celebrate his passing.
Bob and Tinker began their married life in Kansas City, Mo., where he obtained training to become an electrician. On the weekends they would drive to Pulaski County and he became a cowboy once again. His brother-in-law was the foreman for a large cattle operation occupying the leased land of Fort Leonard Wood that was temporarily closed as an army post. Eventually they gave up city life and moved to Pulaski County and he worked full time for the cattle operation. When the army post resumed active status and the cattle moved on, they chose to remain in the community and a twenty-five year career began on the Fort Leonard Wood Fire Department. He retired in 1976 as an Assistant Fire Chief.
In addition to his firefighting career, Bob stayed busy with various other endeavors. He and Tinker were fortunate that they were able to fulfill their lifelong wish to have their own cattle operation. After retirement, Bob built their house and they moved to the T-Bar Ranch. Through hard work and determination, they turned a hilly, rugged and rocky piece of property into a beautiful cattle ranch with wide open rolling pastures. They enjoyed thirty years together on the T-Bar located on Turnbull Hollar. Bob was always planning out and completing projects to improve the ranch. Just this past year he built a new hay barn all by himself.
He could improvise, adapt, repurpose, jerry-rig and recycle for any number of situations or needs that arose. He certainly lived up to the old Ozark adage: Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.
Bob accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior in 1952 and was a faithful member of the Roby Christian Church until his death. Bob served the church in various positions through the years, always willing to help the church grow and support its mission.
Bob also served on many local boards either as a volunteer or elected official including the school board, local fire department and public water district. He played a role in establishing the American Legion Post and the Roby Saddle Club. He and Tinker actively supported numerous community activities throughout their lives.
A personal enjoyment for Bob was his love of history at all levels. Through the years kids and then grand kids were quizzed and schooled on a variety of topics. Bob was one who believed the mind should be engaged in learning at all times and he demonstrated this by his use of the new-fangled iPad. His ability at memorizing facts of U.S. history, the Bible and family genealogy was impressive at his advanced age. Bob was also known as a story teller. His knowledge of local people, places and events lent itself to always having a story to tell to the closest listener.
Bob wanted no tears for his passing as he wanted everyone to know he had led a full and blessed life with no regrets.
Services were 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 30, 2014, at Roby Christian Church with Eugene Earp officiating. Pallbearers were Bob Biram, Jacob Fry, Benny Haney, Andy Justice, Leon Mace and George Ragain. Burial was in Ramona Cemetery, Ramona, Okla.
The family respectfully suggests that donations be made in Bob Morgan’s honor to the Captola Lewis Memorial Scholarship Fund, in lieu of flowers, C/O Evans Funeral Home or Legacy Bank of Plato.
To leave an online condolence, go to www.evansfh.com. Services were under the direction of Evans Funeral Home.
PAID
