Thursday, March 15, 2007

Lt. Col. Skip Morgan (1948-2007)

Lt. Col. W. S. “Skip” Morgan, age 58, of Orlando, passed away at his home early this morning. He was the 9th generation of a pioneer Central Florida family, and worked as a paper boy for the Orlando Sentinel during his early years. He was an Eagle Scout. A 1966 graduate of Oak Ridge High School, he was a classmate of Orange County Mayor Richard Crotty.

He was also a 1970 graduate of The Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina. He shared rides with author Pat Conroy from that military college to their common hometown in Florida. And, during his senior year, Skip was named to the elite Summerall Guard drill team. After college, Skip embarked on a career in the U.S. Air Force, interrupted only briefly by a stint as a pilot with the now-defunct Air Florida. He received commendations for his efforts to retain highly-trained military pilots during the Cold War when commercial carriers were competing for their talents. His last assignment was at The Pentagon, where he worked with Gen. Colin Powell on arms control agreements with the former Soviet Union. He retired in 1992, and returned to Orlando. Skip's great passions included big game hunting, Civil War history, genealogy, and his family. Sadly, he was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's Disease in 2002, and succumbed only after a 5-year long struggle with the illness. Survivors include his wife of 36 years, Leigh Anne; son William of Apopka; daughter Mrs. Keith Simmons of Mt. Pleasant, SC; and 2 grandchildren. Arrangements are being handled by Woodlawn Carey Hand Funeral Home, with interment to follow at Greenwood Cemetery in downtown Orlando.

The family suggests donations to the Alzheimer's Association of Central Florida, 988 Woodcock Road, Orlando, FL 32803. (www.alzflorida.org)