CSM (R) Thomas Morgan

CSM(R) THOMAS MORGAN John 3:16 For God so loved the world He gave… Thomas Morgan, 80, of Five Points, was called home on July 24, 2016 after living the American Dream. A man of strong Christian core values, Thomas leaves a legacy of Faith, Family, Friendship and Fitness that transcends time. Thomas was the seventh child of 9 children born in to the family of the late Ernest and Lottie Morgan, on January 16, 1936 in Welch, near Roanoke, Alabama. Thomas grew up in Alabama where he played sports, went to church, went to school, and where he met his “grade-school” sweetheart and wife of 59 years Mary Morgan of the Allen family from Fredonia, Alabama. Thomas particularly enjoyed baseball and played the game at a high level. His football team, of course, is Alabama, ROLL TIDE! Thomas attended Five Points High School for 3 ½ years before leaving for the military like his dad and his bothers had done before him, in keeping with the long Morgan family tradition of military service dating back to WWI where Ernest Morgan their father began service. Thomas chose a career in the United States Army after enlisting in December1953 as a private E-1, the lowest enlisted rank in the U.S. Army. Yet before his career was over, after 30 years, Thomas would achieve the highest enlisted rank in the U.S. Army, Command Sergeant Major, E-9. His first tour of duty was in Korea during the aftermath of the Korean conflict. He initially served as heavy truck supply transportation driver. He quickly ascended in rank to various leadership roles including squad leader, team leader and section leader. Thomas found his military calling in technology and missile systems when he was stationed in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. There he began work on long-range strategic missile systems including Nike Hercules and Nike Ajax. Working in missile defense early in his career set the stage for the rest of his highly successful career in the U.S. Air Defense Artillery branch as it was a newly burgeoning. Thomas would serve with distinction in every Non Commissioned Officer leadership position at each command level including platoon, company, battalion and brigade, culminating as the Command Sergeant Major of the 11th Air Defense Brigade at Fort Bliss. In addition, his leadership manual, "The Working Relationship between Officers and NCOs," has helped bridge the gap between newly commissioned officers and NCOs for many years and became required reading at the Air Defense Officer Basic course. His duty assignments would take him and his family to Fort Bliss Texas, and various locations in Germany and Korea. In 1977 he was selected to attend and graduated in one of the first few classes of Sergeants Major Academy in1977 at Fort Bliss. He retired after 30 years of military service with distinction and honor in 1983 and received among many medals, both the Meritorious Service Medal and the Legion of Merit. Thomas married his beautiful wife Mary Florence Allen in 1955. The couple was blessed with 3 wonderful boys, Rinza, Thomas Jr., and Anthony. Each of their boys would also follow the family tradition of military service. Rinza went to college at University of Texas El Paso and serve in the 1/325 Airborne Infantry Battalion 82nd Airborne division at Fort Bragg, N.C., Thomas, Jr. went to the United States Military Academy and Commanded C Co 1/227 Apache Attack Helicopter Company at Fort Hood, TX, and Anthony also went to UTEP and was commissioned a second Lieutenant in Air Defense Artillery Reserves at Fort Bliss. After leaving the military, Thomas and wife Mary returned to their grass roots in Alabama and enjoyed a peaceful life on the couple’s farm in Five Points. There he became a minister, part time member of the volunteer fire department while Mary continue her career in the banking and finance industry. Thomas is the gentle giant who gave his all to everyone he encountered. Our family extends well beyond the confines of our circle of five as he brought everyone in particularly our military extended family, which runs long and deep. The Jones, the Gardner’s, the Shedricks, the Philip’s, the Pates, the Youngs, and the so many others that our family has grown to love and respect dearly. We are strong today for what priceless treasure he has so generously given us. We are thankful and blessed. Thomas is survived by his wife Mary; their two children: Thomas Morgan Jr. of Westlake, TX, Anthony J Morgan of Frisco, TX ; His Sister Rosa Ferguson of Riverside, CA and brother Raymond Morgan of Atlanta, GA. Thomas was preceded in death by his son Rinza Morgan. Thomas has 9 grandchildren. In keeping with the Morgan family tradition of military service, his grand daughter, Jasmine graduated from the United States Military Academy in 2014, and was one of the first 20 women to be admitted into the first class to accept women at the U.S. Army Ranger School. It appears more Morgan grandchildren will following the family tradition. Visitation will be from 11:30 am to 2:00 pm on Friday, July 29, 2016 at Sunset Funeral Home Northeast, 4631 Hondo Pass, El Paso, TX 79904. A Committal Service will follow at 2:30 pm at Fort Bliss National Cemetery with full military honors. Please visit our online register book at www.sunsetfuneralhomes.net. The family requests that donations be made to: 1) West Point Association of Graduates Go to: www.westpointaog.org Select Giving tab across top row Go to Ways to Give Select Online Populate as designated Notes: Under Donation Information there is a tab called “Select Gift Designation” Choose one of following - 1) Superintendents Annual Fund - 2) A Club Fund - 3) Class of 1983 (Tommy’s Class) - 4) Class of 2014 (Jasmine’s Class) Under In Memory / Honor Of - 1) CSM (R) Thomas - 2) Morgan Sr. Thank you for your Prayers and Love…! …He will Dwell in the House of the Lord FOREVER…! Psalm 23