Robert "Bob" Morgan

Robert Eugene “Bob” Morgan

An old cowboy died August 26, 2014. Robert Eugene "Bob" Morgan came to the end of the trail at his home on the T-Bar Ranch on Turnbull Hollar. He had reached the age of 89 years, 5 months, 29 days.

He began his life March 30, 1925 in Skiatook, Oklahoma. He was born to Ross and Minnie Billups Morgan, one of 8 children. He grew up on the green grass prairies of Osage and Washington Counties learning to be a cowboy on some of the wide-spread cattle ranches of the area. He attended schools in Vera, Ramona and Skiatook.  Growing up in the depression, he learned the value of hard work. This work ethic grounded him throughout his life as he sought out opportunities and experiences.

In 1943 he joined the Army Air Corp Cadets and trained to be a pilot, but due to a heart murmur, he was unable to meet the criteria to become a pilot. He was reassigned to the 35th Squadron Support Group as a cryptographer and shipped out to the South Pacific.

After the war ended, he returned home and met and married Dorma "Tinker" Smith in 1946. They were blessed with almost 64 years of marriage.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers-Henry, Tom, S.P. and Ralph; sisters-Sally and Patsy; and his wife, Tinker.

He is survived by his 4 children:  Darlene Pinc and husband John of Kirkwood, Missouri; Robert "Rusty" Morgan Jr. and wife Patricia of West Chester, Ohio; Carol and Husband Larry Fletcher of Newburg, Missouri; and Terry Morgan and wife Elisa of Fair Grove, Missouri.  Five grandchildren:  Janelle Sardina and husband Alfredo of Frostproof, Florida; Laina Hendricks and husband Jeff of Lebanon, Missouri; Rena Humphrey and husband Jason of Plato, Missouri; Dr. William Pinc, Ph.D. and wife Victoria of Toledo, Ohio; and Bailee Morgan of Fair Grove, Missouri. Four great grandchildren:  Mason and Brody Hendricks, Jordan Pinc and Morgan Humphrey.  Bob is also survived by his sister, Latha Burdette of Skiatook, Oklahoma and sister-in-law, Morene Morgan Billups of Bartlesville, Oklahoma. He leaves many nieces, nephews, extended family and numerous friends to mourn and celebrate his passing.

Bob and Tinker began their married life in Kansas City, Missouri where he obtained training to become an electrician. On the weekends they would drive to Pulaski County and he became a cowboy once again. His brother-in-law was the foreman for a large cattle operation occupying the leased land of Fort Leonard Wood that was temporarily closed as an army post.  Eventually they gave up city life and moved to Pulaski County and he worked full time for the cattle operation.  When the army post resumed active status and the cattle moved on, they chose to remain in the community and a twenty-five year career began on the Fort Leonard Wood Fire Department. He retired in 1976 as an Assistant Fire Chief.

In addition to his fire fighting career, Bob stayed busy with various other endeavors. He and Tinker were fortunate that they were able to fulfill their lifelong wish to have their own cattle operation. After retirement, Bob built their house and they moved to the T-Bar Ranch. Through hard work and determination, they turned a hilly, rugged and rocky piece of property into a beautiful cattle ranch with wide open rolling pastures. They enjoyed thirty years together on the T-Bar located on Turnbull Hollar. Bob was always planning out and completing projects to improve the ranch. Just this past year he built a new hay barn all by himself.

He could improvise, adapt, repurpose, jerry-rig and recycle for any number of situations or needs that arose. He certainly lived up to the old Ozark adage:  Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.

Bob accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior in 1952 and was a faithful member of the Roby Christian Church until his death. Bob served the church in various positions through the years, always willing to help the church grow and support its mission.

Bob also served on many local boards either as a volunteer or elected official including the school board, local fire department and public water district. He played a role in establishing the American Legion Post and the Roby Saddle Club. He and Tinker actively supported numerous community activities throughout their lives.

A personal enjoyment for Bob was his love of history at all levels.  Through the years kids and then grand kids were quizzed and schooled on a variety of topics.  Bob was one who believed the mind should be engaged in learning at all times and he demonstrated this by his use of the new-fangled iPad. His ability at memorizing facts of U.S. history, the Bible and family genealogy was impressive at his advanced age.  Bob was also known as a story teller.  His knowledge of local people, places and events lent itself to always having a story to tell to the closest listener.

Bob wanted no tears for his passing as he wanted everyone to know he had led a full and blessed life with no regrets.

Visitation will be Friday August 29, 2014 from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. at Roby Christian Church. Services will be Saturday August 30, 2014 at 11:00 A.M. at Roby Christian Church with Eugene Earp officiating. Pallbearers will be Bob Biram, Jacob Fry, Benny Haney, Andy Justice, Leon Mace and George Ragain. Funeral services will also be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, September 2, 2014 at the Sien-Shelton Funeral Home. Burial will be in Ramona Cemetery, Ramona, Oklahoma under the direction of the Sien-Shelton Funeral Home. The family respectfully suggests that donations be made in Bob Morgan’s honor to the Captola Lewis Memorial Scholarship Fund, in lieu of flowers, C/O Evans Funeral Home or Legacy Bank of Plato. To leave an online condolence go to www.evansfh.com.Services were under the direction of Evans Funeral Home.

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