MORGAN MOORE

Morgan Moore was born July 24, 1926, in Stephens, and was the only child of Percy and Hatley Moore.

After graduating as salutatorian from his high school class in 1944, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps and was training to fly when World War II ended. Upon returning from the service, Morgan enrolled at the college currently known as Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia, and later transferred to the University of Oklahoma, where he graduated with a degree in petroleum engineering. During his time at OU, he never missed a home football game and remained an avid OU football fan until his death on Jan. 3, 2014.

Morgan then embarked on a long career in the oil and energy industry, which took him around the country and the world. He worked on the asphalt formula used to pave the Maine turnpike, managed refineries in Cushing, Okla., and Corpus Christi, Texas, and traveled to Japan as part of his work with KerrMcGee’s nuclear division. Morgan also managed the Kerr-McGee nuclear fuel production plant near Crescent, Okla. Morgan retired from Kerr-McGee as a senior vice-president, having headed divisions dealing with nuclear, refining, and transportation operations.

After retirement, Morgan continued to make his home in Oklahoma City where he was an avid exerciser at the north side YMCA. At his death, he was working on several manuscripts and had already published a fictional account of his boyhood in Arkansas entitled “Rubber Gun Wars.”

Morgan was predeceased by his parents and his double first cousin, William “Billy” Morgan of Magnolia.

He is survived by his children, David Moore and spouse Kathy, Kelly Moore, Erin Moore and spouse Blake, Chad Cox and spouse Abby, and Samuel Moore; and his grandchildren, Kellen Moore, Randolph Moore, Nathaniel Cox, and Annabel Cox.

In accordance with Morgan’s wishes, his ashes will be scattered on the resting grounds of his family in Stephens in a ceremony to be held in the spring.