Rev. Donald R. Morgan

Donald Ray Morgan had opinions about the opening line of one’s obituary. He was known to scan through the black and white blurbs in the paper and share thoughts about those “entering into the arms of Jesus” or “running through the pearly white gates.” But Donald never would talk much about how he’d one day like his to read. So, his family will attempt to describe what we believe happened just after midnight on April 23rd, 2022, surrounded by the people who loved him most. It was then - after 90 bountiful years - that Donald Ray Morgan, of Carlisle, PA passed away. One moment his tired body and mind were on earth - and the next he was being welcomed into heaven by his beloved son, Blake, who he lost tragically in 1989. We imagine it was the beautiful reunion Donald had eagerly dreamt of for 33 years. Donald was born the son of Ario and Anna (Huratiak) Morgan on July 23, 1931. He was a 1949 graduate of Hegins Township High School. He went on to earn his Bachelor's Degree in Government with a major in Foreign Affairs from The George Washington University in Washington, D.C. in 1953. He then donned those crisp whites and was commissioned as an officer in the United States Navy where he proudly served his country for four years as a gunnery officer on the USS Bache, a Fletcher class destroyer, while rising to the rank of full Lieutenant. While in the Navy, he married a Klingerstown girl, Ruby J. Long to whom he remained faithfully married for just short of 67 years. Donald was never one for complacency. In 1961, he used his GI bill and earned his Bachelor's of Divinity from The United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio. Following his call to ministry, he moved his family back to Pennsylvania and for the 12 years that followed he served as Pastor of Otterbein United Methodist Church in Sunbury, PA, where he lovingly served God. This life choice firmly established his roots and love for the City of Sunbury. Friendship came easy for Donald. After introductory conversations with complete strangers, he was known to turn to his embarrassed grandchildren and say, “see? I just made a friend for life.” Those skills made it natural for him to transition into politics. In 1969, Donald was elected Mayor of Sunbury, a position he held for over a decade. Revitalizing the downtown and attracting new business was a priority during his tenure. He was also instrumental in the preservation of the Arch Street Train Station. In 1974, contributing to that downtown revitalization, he and his wife Ruby purchased the Hotel Edison, a historic landmark in downtown Sunbury. They preserved its beauty and had a successful family owned and operated business that served as a backdrop to countless Morgan family memories. Upon retiring in 1994, Donald and Ruby found their dream home in Perry County. It was there, in the historic stone house and sprawling acreage, that Donald seemed most at peace. He’d wake up long before the sun to climb a ladder and meticulously tend to his flower boxes. He’d walk down the road to feed the hungry pond fish anxiously awaiting his arrival, followed only by his beloved cat, Georgie, who he affectionately named after the 43rd President. That beautiful house on Soule Road was home until the couple recently transitioned to a retirement community in Carlisle. Donald was preceded in death by his parents, his three brothers Richard, Thomas and David, his sister, Wilma and his son Blake, who died while working as a Bush Pilot in Fairbanks, Alaska. Donald is survived by his wife Ruby, three children and nine grandchildren. Daughter Donna Rae of Helsingborg, Sweden and her son David and his partner Ingela, and son Adam. Son David Ario of Fisher’s Ferry, PA. and his wife Mary and their children Maggie, Jessie, Abbie and Henry. Daughter-In-Law Brigid, a U.S. State Department Diplomat serving at the U.S. Embassy in Mongolia and her daughter Sarah Blake and her husband Nicholas. And daughter Heidi Johanna of Jupiter, Florida and her daughter Chloe and her husband Chance, and son Blake. Those are the people who will miss their husband, father and grandfather most. They will miss his love for Jesus and making his bright flowers grow. They will miss the brilliant mind for politics and knowledge of current events. They will miss afternoons interrupted by beautiful music filtering in from the living room after he’d sit down at the same piano he played as a boy. His family will miss the man who had an unmatched sense of humor and was always up for a practical joke or a rowdy game of UNO. He always made them wary when April 1st rolled around. But maybe, more than anything, they will miss the man who cared deeply for his family - the ones who shared his name. He loved and was loved back tenfold. A memorial service will be held on June 4th - Ruby and Donald’s 67th wedding anniversary - at Otterbein United Methodist in Sunbury at 1:00 p.m. The Morgan family would like to thank friends and family for their constant stream of phone calls, cards and kind words of condolence. We are forever grateful to caregiver, Cindy Snyder, who helped tend to Donald over the past year and provided compassionate support for his family. In his final days, Homeland at Home Hospice staff members Trisha, Miriam and Lindsay made sure Donald was cared for and comfortable. And in his final hours, Dr. David Albright, a lifelong family friend, guided us through the most difficult part of Donald’s journey. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Donald’s memory to Otterbein United Methodist Church. Or to support the work Samaritan’s Purse is doing to assist the Ukrainian people with multiple emergency field hospitals across the war-torn country: https://sampur.se/3Lj2moZ Buffington-Reed Funeral Home, Valley View, is in charge of arrangements. Condolences can be left for the family at www.buffingtonreed.com

Rev. Donald R. Morgan

July 23, 1931 - April 23, 2022