Thursday, August 17th, 2017
Terry Morgan
Terry N. Morgan, 78, of rural Wapakoneta, went home to be with his Lord in the arms of his wife at 4:50 p.m., Tues. Aug. 15, 2017, at his home, after a lengthy illness of liver cancer.
Terry was born Feb. 6, 1939, in Hamilton, OH, the son of the late Earl & Loraine (Castator) Morgan. In 1982, he married Susan E. Beyer, and she survives.
Other survivors include, children, Terry Neal (Karen) Morgan, II, Orlando, KY; Sam (Rosanne) Morgan, Spencerville, OH; Pam Cromer, Richmond, KY; Jon (Deb) Morgan, KY; Michael Morgan, KY; Sherri (Bruce) Burkard, Alma, MI; Michael (friend-Rosa) Wildermuth, Jackson Center, OH; & Doug Morgan, IN; 16 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren, siblings, Roger (Sheila) Morgan, Trenton, OH; Dane Morgan, Hamilton, OH; GayleAnne Morgan, IL; 9 nieces & nephews, and 11 great nieces & great nephews.
He was preceded in death by 2 sisters, Linda Morgan and Susan Morgan Davis.
Terry graduated in 1956 from Seven Mile High School, Hamilton, OH, and was a U.S. Army veteran. He was a pipefitter and plumber by trade which brought him to Lima in 1965 where he began work at BP Refinery where he was project manager for over 35 years. He later worked for Tilton Corp., becoming president of operations of their company until his retirement due to health reasons, in 1999.
Terry was a member of Salem United Methodist Church, Wapakoneta. He was also a founding member of the Shawnee Long Rifle Club, a member of the American Single Shot Rifle Assn., and the NRA. He was a member and past president for 20 years of the Tri-State Gun Collectors Assn., Brands Lake Fishing Club, the United Plumbers and Pipefitters Union Local #776, Lima, and many other organizations.
Terry was an avid hunter, having hunted in Colorado, Wyoming, Canada, and Pennsylvania, as well as many areas in Ohio and KY. He loved fishing as well. In his earlier years, Terry was an outstanding baseball pitcher and was offered a tryout with the Cincinnati Reds but due to a shoulder injury he could not follow through with his dreams. He coached Little League teams in Wapakoneta.
Terry taught many young people, including his granddaughters, Teresa, Kaleena and Maddie Altherr, the correct way to respect and shoot firearms. He was an outstanding hatchet thrower, winning many competitions and was rarely beaten in any black powder competitions.
Among many talents, Terry was a very skilled scrimshaw artist making very beautiful powder horns. He made a complete zoo for Marcus Altherr out of hickory nuts, acorns, twigs, and string. He also dabbled in jewelry making, most of which hung from his wife's ears and around her neck.
He made beautiful custom knives which have been purchased along with black powder custom target sights for people all over the US. He could take a gun that was in terrible shape, and bring it back to life turning it into a beautiful new rifle.
Terry had a marvelous mind, and was loved for his many stories of his younger days and his knowledge of shooting material and fishing lures. He could remember dates, times, and events from way back, even into the 1700's which he loved to study. He was an avid reader and had a photogenic mind. The only thing he could never remember, however, was his anniversary month! But after a few years, he did remember.
He adored all the grandchildren and great grandchildren, and loved spending time with them and family. He was a devoted husband and father. He was loved and very much respected by many people and will be greatly missed.
Visitation will be 1-4 p.m., Sat., Aug. 19, 2017, at the Bayliff & Eley Funeral Home, 1102 Lincoln Ave., (St. Rt. 501) Wapakoneta. A Celebration of Life will immediately follow the visitation. His cremated remains will be scattered at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be directed to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
Condolences may be expressed at www.bayliffandeleyfh.com.
