Gary Dale Morgan

Gary Dale Morgan, age 82, of Bismarck, ND died October 28, 2018 at Sanford Hospital surrounded by his loving family. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am Friday, November 2, at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck. Burial will be at Fairview Cemetery, Bismarck. Gary (McGee) was born on Leap Year, February 29, 1936, to Kenneth and Marjorie (Watkins) Morgan in Bottineau, ND. He was raised in Dunseith and graduated high school in 1954. He was a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity while attending UND, where he received a Bachelor of Education degree in 1958. On June 9, 1957, Gary was united in marriage to Mary Lou Axtell in Noonan, ND. Before beginning his career with U.S. Customs, he taught and coached for four years in McClusky and Drake, ND. Gary moved his family to Portal, ND in 1963, where he worked as a US Customs Inspector. They moved to Detroit, MI in 1969 for two years before moving back to Portal as Port Director. After 30 years of service with US Customs, Gary retired, and they made their home by the lake in Garrison, ND. He was involved in the community serving on the Portal City Council, Burke Central School Board, and the Presbyterian Church Board. He enjoyed coaching basketball, football, and track, as well as officiating football. Other passions included reading and history. He enjoyed spending time at the lake, fishing, traveling, playing softball, watching his children and grandchildren in their sporting events, and spending time with family and friends. Gary is survived by his wife, Mary Lou of Bismarck; his five children: Pamela Christianson and her children, Lee (Heather) Christianson, Trisha (Jon) Reis, Morgan (Derek) Hauck, Bismarck, ND, Mark (Sheila) Morgan, Stanley, ND, and their children, Ashley (Kyle) Nichols, Stanley, ND, Brittany (Cody) Uran, Piedmont, SD; Robert Morgan, Mandan, ND and his daughter, Heather (Art) Flores, Cheyenne WY; Stacy (Chad) Willer of Bismarck, ND, and their children, Cory (Emma) Ploof, Columbia, MO, Christopher Wilson, Bismarck, ND, and Caden Willer, Bismarck, ND; Laurel (Josh) Wenger and their daughter, Harper Wenger, Bismarck, ND; sisters-in-law: Gini Morgan, Pelican Rapids, MN and Shana Morgan, Falkirk, ND, and many great grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth and Marjorie Morgan; brothers, Richard and John Morgan; and grandson Camden Willer.