Ray Wilson Morgan, Jr.

     Ray Wilson Morgan Jr. passed away on September 4, 2024, at the age of 79 in Cleveland, Missouri. Ray was born in Des Moines, Iowa, in 1945 to Leota and Ray Morgan Sr. Proceeding him in death were his parents, and his brother John Mason Morgan II.

     Ray is survived by his wife of 44 years, Pam. Married on the hottest day in memory, July 8 th, 1980, Ray and Pam began their journey together. After meeting in Des Moines, Iowa, life moved them to Southern California in 1983, then back to Overland Park in 1994. Pam and Ray moved to Cleveland MO in 2005 where they made deep connections in the community. Being raised on a small farm outside Bondurant Iowa, he would return to being a farm boy with Pam at his side. Pam was able to share countless memories with Ray. They enjoyed NASCAR races, lunch with friends, and concerts. Their travels through his life insurance career lead them around the world. Pam was his one true love, and through it all he made her feel like the center of his world.

     Ray’s greatest sources of joy were his children and their spouses. Michael and Amanda York of Camarillo California, Justin and Maria Morgan of Lake Elsinore California, and Ryan and Ashley of Kansas City Missouri. He took immense pride in his role as a grandfather to his grandchildren: Andruw, Jazmin, Lily, Syndey, Jazmine, Sean, Will, Emerson, Chandler, and Cooper. Whether it was phone calls, visits, texting or sharing photos, he was grateful for being part of their lives. Grandpa was known to always answer a question with ‘You betcha!,’ rather than a boring yes or no.

     Also surviving Ray is his sister Patricia Marie Martin of Colorado, sister-in-law Jan Morgan of Maricopa Arizona, niece Connie (Eric) Gregory in Maricopa, and nephew Marty (Tracy) Morgan of Huxley Iowa. Even with long distances between them, he always stayed connected to his family roots.

     He is remembered by those who knew him for his huge heart and infectious smile with its matching laugh. Ray was constantly thinking about others, and for this he was loved for his outgoing kindness. Ray will be deeply missed by his family, neighbors, and lifelong friends. His service to others spanned his time in the Iowa Air National Guard to his tenure as an Alderman for the City of Cleveland. His volunteer work reflected his sense of pride for his town. The outgoing messages of love and sympathy at the news of his passing reassured his family of how awesome he was.

     Rays' family wishes you good luck mowing your lawns, plowing your driveways, and hauling your trash cans.

Further details regarding the Celebration of Life will be announced by the family later.