Joe Alan Morgan
Joe Alan Morgan, 76, of Little Rock, Arkansas, passed away on Saturday, November 21, 2020, from complications of pulmonary f ibrosis at Baptist Health in Little Rock. Joe was born, raised, and lived in Little Rock all of his life. He believed Arkansas was one of the best kept secrets in the country. He is predeceased by his parents, Charlie B. Morgan and Amy Wilson Morgan; his brother and sister-in-law, Charles W. Morgan and Alvia Jean Trout Morgan; and one niece, Tracy Leigh Morgan. He is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Judy James Morgan; his son, Brett Alan Morgan; and his granddaughter, Lauren Elizabeth Morgan, all of Little Rock.
Joe attended Garland Elementary School, Westside Junior High School, and Little Rock Central High School. He played in both the marching band and the swing band. He attended one semester at Arkansas State Teachers College in Conway, now University of Central Arkansas, but soon realized he wanted to be home in Little Rock, and, at the end of the first semester, he hitchhiked home to Little Rock and never looked back. That Spring, he enrolled in Little Rock University, now U A Little Rock. Joe was a great athlete, and baseball was his game. He was on the first baseball team that Little Rock University ever had, during the days when you furnished your own uniforms and had to take them home to wash them. He was also a charter member of Sigma Nu fraternity. To pay for his education,
Joe worked holidays and weekends on the Missouri Pacific Railroad as a switchman. He continued to work on the railroad after he and Judy were married and their son Brett was born.
Always putting his family first, he turned to a new career and went to work for General Motors Acceptance Corporation in 1966 where he remained for 19 and 1/2 years. The opportunity of a lifetime came when he went to work at Cliff Peck Chevrolet in 1985. After several years of hard work, Mr. Peck presented him with a buyout option of the dealership which eventually became Service Chevrolet. In 1997, he and his son Brett opened a family dealership in Benton, Arkansas, Brett Morgan Chevrolet-Oldsmobile. He enjoyed his career in the retail automotive business, during which time he served for 14 years on the Arkansas Motor Vehicle Commission, finishing his last few years as Chairman, and also serving on the General Motors Product Advisory Council. Eventually, he purchased the Chevrolet-Cadillac dealership in Stuttgart, Arkansas. Stuttgart became the perfect place to finish out his career in the automotive business, retiring in 2013.
Joe was an avid hunter throughout his life. He spent many days and nights at their family duck club in Bayou Meto with his son, his granddaughter, and many of his closest friends. One of the proudest moments in his life was being appointed to the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission by Governor Asa Hutchinson in 2015. He wanted to make a difference, and he succeeded. He admired the hard work and loyalty of the hundreds of Arkansas Game and Fish employees. And in the true spirit of a passionate hunter, Joe left this world on opening morning of duck season.
Joe never met a stranger and because of this, his life was filled with friendships that lasted a lifetime. Those lucky enough to know Joe will always remember his one-liners. Whatever he decided to do, he did it at the highest level. Whether it be his career, a hobby such as hunting, playing golf, or flying his Cessna 182, and especially being a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, he gave 110%. He loved the Lord, his family, his many friends, and his Country.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, to honor his life and legacy, a graveside service for those who would like to attend will be held at Forest Hills Cemetery, 10200 AR-5, Alexander, Arkansas, at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, December 1, 2020. Active pallbearers will be Jimmy Tice, Stan Jones, Steve Cook, Lester Seiber, Eddie Bowren, and Larry Walther. Honorary pallbearers will be Will Cooper, John Chappelle, Roy Huddle, Casey Seiber, Tommy Mays, Dr. Eddie Phillips, Dr. Gary Collins, Dr. Steve Chatelain, Sam Winstead, Destin McCracken, Cody Hiland, Sheffield Nelson, Paul Shaffer, Tony Meyer, Major Brad Young and current members of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission.
The family would like to express their immense gratitude to the nurses, doctors, and staff in the Coronary Care Unit at Baptist Health Little Rock. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation, 2 Natural Resources Drive, Little Rock, Arkansas 72205 or Immanuel Baptist Church, 501 N. Shackleford Road, Little Rock, Arkansas 72211.
To sign the online guest book, please visit, www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/chenal.