Marvin Dennis Morgan

Marvin Dennis Morgan, age 75, of Gordon, passed away on Monday, May 30, 2011, at his home with family by his side after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease.

A celebration of life will be held Friday, June 3, 2011 at 10 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church of Gordon.

Internment will be at the Gordon Cemetery.

Chamberlain Pier Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Marvin was born in O'Neill on January 9, 1936, to Eugene A. and Angeline G Morgan. Marv, his sister Maxine or "Mickey" and brother Vince were raised in O'Neill and attended Saint Mary's Academy. He move to Chadron to work road construction in the late 1950s. In 1960 he enlisted in the U.S. Army. Upon returning to Chadron, he continued his service in the Army National Guard.

On July 1, 1962, he married Jane D. Thompson at the First Presbyterian Church in Gordon. He was an avid car collector and enjoyed being a charter member of the Northwest Nebraska Vintage Car Club. He served as a longtime member of the Gordon Fire Department as an EMT and fireman. He was also a member of RSVP and was a lifetime member of the American Legion post #34.

Marv, or "Marvelous Marv" as many referred to him, was a dedicated mechanic and body man. He enjoyed restoring antique cars and loved showing them off in countless parades and car shows. He could make any car or truck into a moving vehicle even to the chagrin of others, like the golf cart he drove around his lot with car seats that he had found. He also carried a class A CDL license and loved using it to drive his favorite truck "Wobbly" with countless trips of gravel from Hot Springs, SD, or driving the Presbyterian bus to take children on youth trips or adults to the Playhouse or theatre in Rushville. He also loved the land and enjoyed gardening on his lot and selling the produce at the local farmers market, which also allowed him to have countless tractors that he loved. He was a jack of all trades; he could fix anything and had a wild story for each and every car, truck or tractor.

He is survived by his wife Jane; children, Marchelle (Jim) Paul of Gordon, Melanie Morgan of Rapid City, SD, and MeriDee (Wade) McArthur of Alliance; grandchildren, Jessica Paul of El Paso, Texas, Jacqueline (Wade) Simonson of Gordon, Jordan and Jarrod Paul of Gordon, Michael Morgan of Gordon, Anthony and Janessa Morgan of Rapid City and Grant McArthur of Alliance; great-grandchildren, Lindsey Simonson and her soon-to-be sister.

He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Marvin Todd; and sister, Mickey.

Memorial donations may be sent to the family, care of Jane Morgan, P.O. Box 94, Gordon, NE 69343.

Thank you to Marv's special friend Betty for four years of care, the Chadron Community Hospital Home Health and Hospice and the many thoughts and prayers from the community throughout Marv's battle with Alzheimer's.