Mr. Richard “Rick” Morgan passed away peacefully on Thanksgiving Day, November 23, 2023, at Evergreen Nursing Home in Rome, Georgia. He was surrounded by family and his nursing home roommate and friend, Rodney, who prayed and recited comforting scriptures. We called him Rick’s guardian angel.
A special thank you to Jeremy Wallin who spent many hours with Rick during hospice care. They shared their love for music, creating lyrics and precious memories.
Jeremy made sure his music was available to him and the staff via Spotify. This improved the quality of Rick’s life immensely during those last difficult days.
Rick was born in Berkeley, California. He spend his teenage years in Grants Pass, Oregon. He joined the US Navy to serve our country during the Vietnam War. He was a plane captain on the USS Midway aircraft carrier. The best memories of his life were his travels to Japan, Hong Kong and the Philippines. This is how he learned to speak different languages.
He was proud of his Finnish heritage and enjoyed speaking and singing in Finnish. After his discharge from the Navy, he moved to Georgia where he met his wife, Kaye.
A man of many talents, Rick was quite a musician. In high school, he became a concert trumpeter. Later on, he took an interest in classical guitar. He played and sang at venues in Hong Kong and other places while in the Navy. He enjoyed performing ballads, soft rock, and satirical songs at open mics in Panama City Beach. He was widely known for his comedic delivery of “The Grinch” for the kids of all ages at Christmas.
Rick worked in the culinary art, serving as a chef for Chicago Steak House and Shilling on the square in Marietta, Georgia.
Rick is survived by Kaye Morgan, his devoted wife of 30 years, his stepsons, Jeremy and Matt Wallin, whom he loved very much, as well as the grand kids and great-granddaughter. He is also survived by his brother, Ken Baker; sister, Bonnie Doiel; and several nieces and nephews.
Rick is preceded in death by his parents, Sally Morgan and Robert (Bob) Morgan; niece, Linda Wold; nephews, David Baker; and sister-in-law, Ruth Baker.
In keeping with his wishes, Rick was cremated. A private memorial service will be held by the family at a later time.
Messages of condolence can be made to the family by visiting our website and signing the online guestbook at gammagefh.com.
The Olin L. Gammage and Sons Funeral Home is handling the arrangements for Mr. Richard Morgan.
