Marcus G. Morgan

Marcus (Mark) G. Morgan, 88, of Aurora, CO, formerly of Barnes City/Montezuma, IA passed away peacefully, at home, on Monday, May 1, 2017.

He was born on March 4, 1929 to George and Gladys Morgan and was the youngest of seven children. Mark was a graduate of Barnes City High School and was one of six students in the class of 1947; whose class motto, "Whatever is worth doing at all, is worth doing well" would become a hallmark phrase around the Morgan household when later raising his four children. Having seen two brothers and a sister leave home to support the war effort, it was not a surprise when Mark joined the newly formed United States Air Force on the very first day it became a separate service...September 18, 1947. How could this farm boy from Iowa know that this career choice would eventually take him to garden spots like Thule, Greenland and Binh Thuy, Vietnam; not to mention Landsburg, Germany and Fontainebleau, France?

Mark married high school classmate, Charlene Stevens, on March 27, 1953 and that partnership would last almost 64 years. Mark, Charlene and their four children, were stationed at various locations in the United States; but his love for hunting, fishing and the Rocky Mountains found the family returning to Lowry AFB, Aurora, CO for three assignments over the span of his 23 year career. Mark retired from the Air Force in 1972 having supported Berlin Airlift operations, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War; where he earned one of the Air Force's highest honors, the Bronze Star Medal. Too young at 43 to retire, Mark then went on to work another 20 years with the United States Army at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal and then Fitzsimmons Army Post in Aurora; retiring in 1992 from Federal service.

Mark and Charlene loved all outdoor activities and the family cabin, Coalie's Acres, near Kremmeling, CO was where he loved to spend his retirement days. The departure from the daily grind of the city, provided the perfect backdrop to the most content times and best memories of his life. He loved operating his portable saw mill and cutting down trees for firewood; but his most favorite routine of all was sitting on the front porch with a cup of coffee, a handful of cookies and Coalie, their beloved black Labrador of 16 years, at his feet watching the sun come up. When Charlene suffered a stroke in 2008, it was Mark who was there to be her primary caregiver and was able to keep her at home along with frequent trips to the cabin, until she passed in December 2016. Like Charlene, he enjoyed going up to "the hill" to play the penny slot machines.

Mark's strength of character, work ethic, and integrity have been passed on to his son and three daughters and will remain his legacy. His four children, 10 grandchildren and 2 greatgrandchildren are eternally grateful to have had him as a role model. Mark was preceded in death by his parents, six brothers and sisters and his loving and dedicated wife, Charlene. While he will be missed, he is now at peace and back at Charlene's side. Their days are once again filled with working in the woods, walking with Coalie and sitting on the front porch watching the sun come up.

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