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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E393]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HONORING THE LIFE OF THOMAS EDGAR MORGAN
______
HON. BRIAN BABIN
of texas
in the house of representatives
Friday, April 24, 2020
Mr. BABIN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy
of a long-time Lone Star lawman and Marine Corps veteran, Lieutenant
Thomas Edgar ``Tom'' Morgan of the Harris County Sheriffs Office
Reserves who passed away Monday, April 20, 2020 at the age of ninety-
nine. At age ninety-eight, Lt. Morgan was Texas' oldest licensed peace
officer at the time of his retirement in 2018.
Tom Morgan was born on September 20, 1920 to Claude Jefferson Morgan
and Connie Kenington Morgan in Bossier City, Louisiana. Growing up poor
during the Great Depression and having to work hard in order to survive
developed a tremendous work ethic and sense of patriotism in young Tom
Morgan.
In 1942, Tom enlisted in the United States Marine Corps at the age of
twenty-one. During World War II, Tom saw action in the South Pacific
during the invasions of Saipan, Guadalcanal, and Okinawa. In addition
to surviving these invasions, Tom also survived the sinking of his
transport ship and malaria during wartime. Tom remained on active duty
in the Marine Corps until 1946 and later served for three months during
the Korean War as a Reservist.
Following his military service, while in college in Louisiana, Tom
met his wife Pat during a visit to Houston. He transferred to the
University of Houston to complete a degree in Mechanical Engineering
and to be near Pat. They married in 1947 and raised their family of
three children in Pasadena, Texas. Tom had a distinguished career as a
pipeline engineer for Gulf State Engineering for many years and retired
in 1982 at the age of 62.
In 1992, five decades after joining the Marines and a decade after
retirement, Tom decided to continue his service as a reserve deputy
with the Harris County Sheriff's Office (HCSO). At age 72, Tom was the
oldest rookie in the Academy. Deputy Morgan served in the HSCO Marine
Division where he patrolled the waters of Lake Houston, the San Jacinto
River, and the Houston Ship Channel. In 2013, our mutual friend,
Representative Ted Poe, honored Lt. Morgan when he reached 20,000 hours
of service with the Sheriff's Office. After serving as a Reserve Deputy
for twenty-six years, Tom Morgan retired as a Lieutenant at the age of
ninety-eight, earning the title of the Lone Star State's oldest lawman.
Tom reflected God's love daily in his service to others and leaves
quite a legacy. A committed Christian, he spent much of his life as an
active member of First Baptist Church or United City Church in Humble.
He also enjoyed playing dominoes, dancing, and spending time with
friends at the Humble Senior Activity Center.
Tom is preceded in death by his loving wife of sixty-one years, Nana
Lou ``Pat'' Morgan who passed away December 26, 2008. He is survived by
his three children: Carol Green and husband Larry of Deer Park, Kathy
Denton of Kingwood, and Tommy Morgan Jr. and wife Betty of Baytown,
Texas. Tom had seven grandchildren, fifteen great-grandchildren, and
two great-great-grandchildren.
Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the family of Lieutenant Morgan
for Tom's faithful service and devotion to his country and community.
My thoughts and prayers remain with his family and friends.
____________________