Morgan, Jacob Richard's Obituary
Jacob (Jack) R. Morgan M.D., F.A.C.C., Capt. US Navy Retired.
Passed away at age 99, survived by his loving wife, Linda, 2 children, 5 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren.
Because of the great depression and not having 9 cents to go to the school carnival, Jack started working at age 9 and was a taxi driver at age 14, a truck driver at age 15 and a welder in a wartime shipyard at age 16. The grade school principal had jack skip 2 grades in grammar school and he finished high school in 3 years graduating with his older sister. Jack attended Texas A.M College working as a janitor and joined the Navy which sent him to RICE INSTITUTE in Texas for one year and then accelerated midshipmen school in New York City to become an officer in the Navy. He joined the battleship South Dakota as a gunnery officer and engaged in battles with Japan and his ship bombarded Japan. Kamikazes attacked the ship even after Japan agreed to surrender and ADMIRAL HALSEY said, "shoot them down in a friendly fashion". Jack witnessed the signing of the treaty with Japan.
Jack then attended the University of Texas continuing to work during college and received a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree with highest honors and a Bachelor of Business Administration degree with high honors.
Jack was recalled for the Korean War and served 3 years on the USS St Paul as a gunnery officer. Jack's best friend was killed on a special assignment in Korea. Jack also volunteered for the assignment but could not go because he was officer of the day (in charge of the ship). After the war Jack met his friend's wife, fell in love with her and her 2-year-old daughter and married her. Jack then went to medical school in Galveston Texas and worked almost full time as a pharmacist but still graduated at the top of the class.
Jack the reentered the Navy and did internship as a residency in internal medicine. He was Chief of Medicine in Taiwan for 2 1/2 years and received special award from CHIANG-KAI-SHEK.
After a fellowship in cardiology, Jack became Chief of Cardiology at the Naval Hospital in San Diego. When the only pediatric cardiologist drowned in Kauai, Jack read 2 books in pediatric cardiology and became the Navy's only Pediatric Cardiologist West of the Mississippi. Jack made over 40 new discoveries in Pediatric Cardiology that resulted in decreased morbidity and/or prolongation of life in millions of children. Jack was the first and only armed forces physician to receive the CASIMIR-FUNK award as before it was given to physician in the Veterans Administrator in Public Health Services.
Jack was Professor of Medicine at TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY and then Chief of Cardiology at Paradise Valley Hospital in National City and then private practice.
Jack's first faithful wife, Eloise passed away in 2000 after 48 years of marriage.
Five years later Jack married beautiful Linda, the second love of his life and they traveled the world together.
Jack retired after almost 50 years as a doctor, 70 years total working and enjoyed his retirement the past 15 years at OCEAN HILLS COUNTRY CLUB. During that time, he was the only male that regularly attended the aerobics class. He also engaged in other activities - YOGA, Table Tennis, Water Volleyball, Paddle Tennis, Hiking, Square Dancing, Skiing, Travel Club and many parties.
What’s your fondest memory of Jacob?
What’s a lesson you learned from Jacob?
Share a story where Jacob's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Jacob you’ll never forget.
How did Jacob make you smile?
