Dr. Arthur Theodore Morgan, 77, of Orange, died Friday, July 25, 2008 at Harbor Hospice in Beaumont.
Funeral Service will be 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, July 29, 2008, at Eastgate United Pentecostal Church Vidor, TX. Officiating will be Reverend Bobby Edwards, Reverend Fred Foster, and Reverend Niles White.
Visitation will be from 6:00-9:00 p.m., Monday at Eastgate United Pentecostal Church of Vidor, under the direction of Claybar Funeral Home.
Dr. Arthur Morgan was born on March 12, 1931 in Deridder, Louisiana. He was the son of Arthur Theodore, Sr. and Nell Knight Morgan. Dr. Morgan attended public schools in both Louisiana and Texas. He graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School. In 1959, he received his Bachelor of Science degree from Lamar University. He then went on to receive his Masters of Education in Counseling in 1964 from Stephen F. Austin State University and Doctor of Education in Guidance and Counseling in 1971 at the University of Houston. In 1961 he began teaching Music and English at Thomas Edison Junior High in Port Arthur. Dr. Morgan became a counselor at Thomas Jefferson High in 1963. He then moved to the West Orange School District in 1966 as a Guidance counselor. He became Director of Special Education in 1971 and in 1974 became the Assistant Superintendent of Instruction. Dr. Morgan also served as Interim Superintendent on two occasions.
In 1976, he received the Will L. Smith Special Education Award for his outstanding service to handicapped children. The award was presented by the Council for Exceptional-Chapter 116. Past president of the Southeast Texas Council for Exceptional Children, Morgan also is a member of the Orange County Mental Health Association, Boy Scouts of America, a trustee of South East Texas MHMR and a director of Goodwill Industries. He was also a member of the Kroger Breakfast Coffee Club. In 1987 and 1988, Dr. Morgan received the Paul Harris Fellow Award.
Dr. Morgan sang ever since his childhood days. He began his singing career in the choir of the church that his father was pastoring. He also sang in the choir in the elementary school he attended. He continued his singing after high school. This all led up to two different releases of albums. His first album was entitled "Till I Reach Heaven." He wrote all the songs on this album. His second was entitled "Look Up, My Child, Look Up." He wrote some of the songs on this album. He wrote most of his music. Several of his songs were played on the radio throughout the area and state.
Dr. Morgan directed choirs and the First United Pentecostal Church of Orange. He sang in several quartets most recently with the Eastgate United Pentecostal Church Choir and quartet.
Previous to his career in education, Dr. Morgan also worked at Texaco Refinery Lab for 10 years.
Survivors include his wife, Clydine Trussell Morgan of Orange; sons and daughters-in-law, Tommy Morgan and Kathy, Steve Morgan and Frances both of Bridge City, Tim Morgan and Joyce of Beaumont, and Mark Morgan and Catalina of Houston; grandchildren, Jessica, Matthew, Darius, Curt, Steven, Nicholas, Rosie, Nestor, and Arthur; sisters, Gloria Morgan Buie of Shreveport, Louisiana, and Mary Sartin of Kountze; and brother, Joseph Morgan of Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He also left behind many close dear friends.
Serving as pallbearers are Matthew Morgan, Darius Morgan, Curt Lucia, Steven Morgan, Jr., Nicholas Morgan, and Nestor Machuca.
Honorary pallbearers are Jessica Morgan, Rosie Machuca, Arthur Morgan, Dean Hebert, Clint Hebert, Blake Hebert, Ben McDonald, and Bron McDonald.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the nurses and friends at Harbor Hospice and Baptist Beaumont ICU.