One of the Valley’s former leaders, a US Navy Veteran, a minister, and family man has died…Donald Morgan was surrounded by family (in person or connected by live social media) when he died early Saturday.
Morgan was a former mayor in Sunbury, former owner of the Edison Hotel, and a pastor of the Otterbein Church in Sunbury. He was 90.
His family tells us, Donald grew up in Hegins, his father Ario was a coal miner, and his mother , the former Anna Huratiak, was a homemaker. After graduating from Hegins Township High School, he earned a history degree from George Washington University, and then went on to earn the rank of full Lieutenant in the US Navy, where he was a gunnery officer on the USS Bache, a Fletcher class destroyer.
David Morgan, his son, tells us, his greatest joy was family, his wife Ruby, and his children, and grandchildren. He retired to a home in the Carlisle area and was well known there for methodically nurturing flowers, especially zinnias.
He also had quite a dark chapter to his life in losing his youngest son, Blake, who as an Alaskan bush pilot, went down with engine failure outside of Fairbanks in 1989. Family says, “He never got over that, even as his death took him away 33 years ago.”
Also starting at age 14, he was a church organist at St. Andrews E U B church in Valley View.
David said his father was a true patriot, driven by love of country, a strong faith in God, and family devotion. He said while mayor and other times, his father always did what he thought was right, but in that attempt though, he was sometimes a bit controversial, stepped on a few toes, and ruffled a few feathers. ”Things were never dull when dad was around.”
A public memorial service will be held in the future when all family can be in attendance.
Donald Morgan was mayor for three terms starting in 1972 and served another term in 1984. He was originally a democrat, but eventually switched to republican. He revered Pres. Ronald Reagan and former Pres. Donald Trump.
As mayor, David said Donald was proud of several housing accomplishments, including the help to complete Scott Tower and Chestnut Tower. The Edison Hotel thrived during Morgan’s ownership. With the exception of a severe ilness and the short time after losing his son, Donald Morgan never had a day off in all of his 23 years as proprietor.
“As his family, we were all so very proud of all his accomplishments in his years and his influence on the lives of so many in so many different ways. Donald R. Morgan was 90.”
