John Morgan

John Alan Morgan, 80, of Bartlesville Oklahoma passed away May 30, 2022. A memorial service will be held for John and Lois Morgan at the First Presbyterian Church in Bartlesville, Oklahoma on June 18, 2022, at 2:00 pm. Lois passed during Covid, so a service was not possible at the time and we are glad to have this opportunity to remember them both.

John was born December 11, 1941, in Bartlesville, Oklahoma to Austin and Mildred Swanson Morgan. He graduated from College High School in 1960 and Oklahoma State University with a BS in Electrical Engineering. He played baritone in the Cowboy Marching Band and was a life-long fan of OSU football and basketball (Go Pokes!). After graduation, he worked for Kodak in Rochester, New York but soon returned to Oklahoma and Texas for a career with Phillips Petroleum Company and for the opportunity to be closer to family. John was a registered Professional Engineer in two states, Oklahoma and California, and held multiple patents related to his work. When he retired, he had been with Phillips Petroleum Company / Applied Automation (a subsidiary of Phillips) for 35 years.

John loved to make people laugh. He loved computers and photography – several of his photographs won ribbons at local county fairs and his impressive photographs of Fireworks were featured in the Pyrotechnics Guild International Calendars. In addition, he leveraged Photoshop to alter photographs for amusing effects. He put his flair on traditional hymns by giving them a honky-tonk vibe and performed at Church socials – complete with top hat and played the calliope in hometown parades. John was one of the founders of the Puppet Ministry at First Presbyterian Church in Bartlesville where he served for many years as a Deacon.

In retirement, John and Lois traveled to Annual Fireworks conventions (he became a licensed fireworks display operator) and attended local concerts and Scott Joplin Ragtime festivals. They often traveled to watch their grandchildren play sports.

John’s wife Lois Irene (Emmons) Morgan preceded him in death on May 12, 2020. His first wife, Karen Dianne (Jones) died at a young age. John is survived by his children, Julie Dianne Morgan, John David Morgan (wife Caroline and children John David and Jessica), Douglas Swindell (wife Barbara and children Dustin and Ryan) and Sarah Ann Hirschy (husband Dean and children Matthew and Andrew) as well as numerous nieces, nephews, great-grandchildren, and a great-great grandchild. His brother Tom and wife Mary Anne reside in Texas. His younger brother Bob passed away in 2014 and is survived by his wife Ginny.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to First Presbyterian Church, https://fpcbok.org.