John Mack Morgan, 84, of Richmond, Va., passed away on Sunday, August 17, 2025, surrounded by loved ones.
John was born January 5, 1941, in Swifton, Ark., on his grandmother's farm. He grew up enjoying the outdoors and playing sports.
He is preceded in death by his parents Raymond Silas Morgan and Helen Louise Ward, along with his brother Robert Joseph Morgan.
John graduated from Greenville High School in Greenville, in 1958. He attended the University of Arkansas for one semester and then joined the United States Marines Corps and served active duty. Upon completion of his active duty, he enrolled at Delta State University in Cleveland, and continued to serve in the reserves. At Delta State, he served as president of Kappa Alpha fraternity, organizing and spearheading community outreach and fundraising. John was also elected Attorney General of the Student Government Association.
John married Judith (Judy) Virginia Johnston on March 6, 1966, at First United Methodist Church in Cleveland. The couple met on a blind date at Delta State where John picked up his future bride in his prized 1959 white Thunderbird with red leather interior. John was a devoted husband for 59 years, often calling Judy his "beautiful bride."
John worked as a department manager at Sears in Memphis, later transferring to Richmond, Va. After many years working as personnel manager, he became an independent insurance agent. He continued working well into his seventies.
John loved classic cars, and he often reminisced about the Thunderbird and Corvette he owned as a young man. On the weekends you could find him golfing, cruising the river on his ski boat, attending UVA football games or cheering on his children and grandchildren in various sports. He taught himself the rules and techniques of soccer, so he could coach his children's teams. He never missed a soccer game, baseball game, swim meet or school event. John devoted himself to encouraging and nurturing his children's and grandchildren's interests.
John savored time with family. Anyone who met John was immediately a friend, and his joy of telling stories will be remembered by all who knew him.
Remaining to cherish John's memory are his wife Judith (Judy) Johnston Morgan; his children Dr. Raymond Ward Morgan (Katie), Robert Douglas Morgan (Sara Whelan) and Jennifer Morgan Longbrake (Lane); his grandchildren Carter Morgan, Audrey Morgan, Maeve Morgan, McClain Morgan, Will Morgan and Owen Longbrake; his sister Mary Elizabeth Morgan; nephew Arthur Raymond Hutton; and niece Mary Catherine Morgan.
In lieu of flowers, donations in John's memory may be made to Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU (Children's Hospital Foundation) at Box 980693, Richmond, VA 23298-0693. A celebration of life will be held later this fall.
