E. Maxwell Morgan's Obituary
Edward Maxwell Morgan, Capt. USN
E. Maxwell Morgan of Tacoma, Washington, died peacefully in the company of family on September 17, 2016 at the age of 101. He was born October 30, 1914 to Charles and Nellie Morgan in Carbondale, Illinois. A career Naval officer and Aviator, Max proudly served his country around the world for 30 years in air, on land, and at sea. He is survived by his granddaughters, Hilary Hall (Tod) and Heather Paetsch (Erich), four great-grandchildren, Maxwell, Elaine, Sebastian, Elliott, 107 year-old half-sister, Gladys Erickson Smith, sister-in-law, Virginia Nisker, son-in-law, Andy Driscoll (Lana), and multiple generations of nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his wife, Shirley, daughter, Karen Driscoll, half-brother T. Erwin Kelly and nine additional half-siblings.
Max graduated from Southern Illinois University in 1936 with a Bachelor of Education and from the University of Minnesota with a Master's in History. He earned his Navy wings in 1937 and piloted or instructed in over 40 different types of airplanes throughout his career. While stationed at Pearl Harbor, Max fell in love at first sight with Shirley Greening. When she agreed to marry him in 1940 he drove a harrowing three days from Pensacola, Florida to Tacoma, Washington where they married at the First Congregational Church. They had one child, Karen, and 58 wondrous years together. His many duty assignments included WWII anti-submarine patrols in Central America, Guam, and the USS Ranger in the North Atlantic. He also served, sometimes bringing his family, in Washington DC, Hawaii, Norfolk, and Bermuda, among other places. Max taught at the Naval Academy, the University of Minnesota, was Commanding Officer in Trinidad, a member of U. S. Elements, Central Treaty in Ankara, Turkey, and retired in Naples, Italy in 1966. The couple then traveled the world, enjoyed golf, bridge, and an active social life in Tacoma. A life member of the Masons, avid historian, and lifelong learner, he never missed an opportunity to educate those around him.
The family thanks the staff at Franke Tobey Jones Retirement Center for 23 years of skilled and kind service to Max (and Shirley), especially to those who attended to Max so lovingly these past few years. A memorial will be held at Tobey Jones, in Tacoma, WA on October 30, 2016, at 11 AM followed by a grave-side ceremony for friends and family recognizing his long and distinguished military career at Mountain View Memorial Park at 1:30 PM.
What’s your fondest memory of E.?
What’s a lesson you learned from E.?
Share a story where E.'s kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with E. you’ll never forget.
How did E. make you smile?