Happy’s Legacy
On July 20, 1935, God blessed the family of Joe and Laurene Morgan with a son that they named Vernon Joe, lovingly referred to as “Happy”, a nickname from his Grandma Brown. Never has the world known a childlike “Happy,” who always had a smile on his face and a strong, pleasant presence.
V.J. never accepted anything less of himself than the very best. As a young man, he was a superstar on the football field and the basketball court. During his sophomore year in high school, he met the love of his life, Laura Ann Craghead. The “sparks” were undeniable. And then at the tender age of 17 and 18, they married and within one year welcomed a beautiful baby girl, Saundra Jo. After 4 years of active duty service in the United States Air Force, Vernon Joe and Laura decided to grow the Morgan family just a little bit larger and added Rhonda Felecia to their family unit. As a young adult, V.J. landed the job as a tire changer with Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company. He eventually worked his way to the position of Store Manager, which lead to the career of a lifetime with Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company. Shortly thereafter, he was relocated to San Antonio, Texas and was promoted to Assistant District Manager. From there, the Morgan’s moved to New Orleans, Louisiana, then to Detroit, Michigan, where the 4 became 5 when they welcomed Heather Christina. Advancing his career to district manager, V.J. was transferred to Indianapolis, Indiana, and then to Baltimore, Maryland, where he experienced the most amazing crab cake ever made, which he would describe in colorful detail. The next move the family made was to Memphis, TN, where V.J. began to climb the corporate ladder and went from super regional district manager to divisional manager within the company. He then transferred to Atlanta, Georgia. When he wasn’t working, he was either on his tractor, quail hunting, or training his hunting dogs. Nearing retirement, he was transferred back to Texas, but this time to the Houston area, specifically Panorama Village. With their family grown, Laura and V.J. established their home in front of “Hole 9” of the golf course, where V.J. kept busy playing golf and gardening. If God blessed a person with a “green thumb”, He blessed V.J. with ten of them. He had the most beautiful flowerbeds, full of color and variety. Throughout his retirement, Vernon enjoyed fly fishing, bass fishing, and spending time with his grandkids, great grandkids, and great-great grandkids – each having their own pet name given by him. In his 86 years on this earth, he achieved both business and personal success.
While his passing is surely painful, the memories are cherished and comforting. His legacy is strong and we look to his grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren to lead the future generations with the same drive, grit, love, and leadership that Vernon Joe demonstrated each of his extraordinary days on this earth.
Visitation will be 7-8 p.m. Monday, May 9, 2022 at Johnson-Moore Pottsboro Chapel.
Funeral services are 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, May 10, 2022 at Johnson-Moore Pottsboro Chapel with Father Randall Fogle officiating. Burial will be at Georgetown Cemetery.
