Donald Edward Morgan

Donald Edward Morgan, 77, was called home by the Lord on October 24, 2024, in Odessa, Texas. 

A visitation will be held on Friday, November 1, 2024, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, at Sunset Memorial Funeral Home at 6801 E. Business 20, Odessa, TX 79762. Funeral Service will be held at the same location on Saturday, November 2, 2024, at 1:00 PM, with Reverend Dr. Jimmy Braswell officiating. A burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens.

Known as Don, Donnie, and Grandpa, he was born in Abilene, Texas, to Joe Blanton and Daisy B. Morgan on July 17, 1947. His family later moved to No Trees, Texas, where Don and his brother, Stan, grew up and made many lifelong friends. He graduated from Odessa High School in the class of 1967. Don earned his Machinist certification from Odessa College and enjoyed a long, successful career. He worked at Woolley Tool, then served as a Service Engineer with LaBlond Makino, and finished his career with Eckels Manufacturing.

Donald had a great sense of humor and loved to laugh. He pursued many hobbies throughout his life, including drawing, camping, hiking, photography, motorcycles, leatherworking, and woodworking. He was an avid reader, passionate about Irish, Scottish, and American history, and enjoyed westerns, crime novels, biographies, and WWII documentaries with the accompanying WW11 pin-up girls. Don played the mandolin and spoke a bit of Gaelic, which his mother taught him from her Irish heritage. He was a fan of rock and country music from the '50s and '60s, had a deep love for animals, and cherished his country, family, and grandchildren. And last but by no means least, Don loved tools, tools, and more tools. The more the better and he knew how to use them. His book, movie, and tool collections are coveted by many. 

Don is now reunited in peace with his parents, J.B. and Daisy B. Morgan.

Donald is survived by his wife, Billie Sue Morgan, whom he married in 1981 along with 3 stepchildren; daughter, Shurine and her husband Brant Hawkins; granddaughters, Nakaii Hawkins and Richelle (Katie) and her husband Jake Key of Kopperl Texas; daughter, Shari Smith; and grandson, Kevin Speed; son, Roy (Sonny) Smith; and grandson, Blake Hines; brother, Stanley Morgan and his wife Jan who reside in Virginia; nephew, Charlie Morgan grandson Austin Morgan; niece, Shannon Jones; grandson, Gunner; aunt, Janell Atchley and cousins. Don is also survived by six beloved great-grandchildren and several other family members and friends, including longtime friends, David Rasco and Mike Herrington, to name a few. 

Pallbearers for his service will be Sonny Smith, Brant Hawkins, Kevin Speed, and Tony Rodriguez. 

Don’s family wishes to extend their deepest and most sincere gratitude and appreciation to all the family and friends who have helped during this difficult time. We could not have made it through this without y’all. We would especially like to thank the physicians and staff at Medical Center Hospital and Madison Rehabilitation for helping to make the end of his journey as peaceful and painless as possible.