Derrell Grant Morgan Obituary (1924 - 2012)

Derrell Grant Morgan, 88, passed away at his home surrounded by his loving sweetheart and adoring daughters on May 23, 2012 due to a long and full life. He was born in Salt Lake City, Utah on January 29, 1924 to Grant and Pearl Morgan. He married the love of his life Marilyn Leggett on February 4 1969 in Reno Nevada. Derrell‘s greatest love was his wife Marilyn and their two daughters. Their love of each other and being together, has always been a priority throughout his life. Derrell was blessed to have two families. He loved his son Mike, and his daughter Paula and had fond memories of building model airplanes with Mike and spending time in the kitchen cooking with Paula. Derrell was talented in so many ways. He loved participating in song and dance throughout his school years and while attending high school, he played center on the varsity basketball team. After graduating from South High School early, he enlisted in the Navy and served honorably in WWII. While stationed in San Francisco he worked on Treasure Island and boxed in the Navy. After serving his country he worked with his father at Morgan Motor & Finance for Twenty-one years and later for Petty Motor Company. In 1969 he and Marilyn purchased an Arctic Circle franchise. They had a successful business in Salt Lake City on 39th South and 7th East for 21 years. He served as President of the Regional Arctic Circle Association. He loved his work and was admired as a friend and business mentor by his business associates and employees. Derrell has always believed in working hard and doing your very best at whatever a person choose to do in his life. This work ethic has been passed on to his children and grandchildren. He retired in 1985 allowing him to spend more quality time with Marilyn and the girls. His many hobbies included remote controlled airplanes, woodworking, collecting coins, boating, camping and snowmobiling. He spent countless hours refurbishing his 1948 Willys Jeep. He loved driving his Jeep in the Utah mountains with his family and friends. Derrell was an accomplished Trap shooter, winning numerous awards and achieving the coveted 27 Yard Line. He was a long time member of ATA of Utah and served as President the Salt Lake Gun Club. He is survived by his wife Marilyn, his daughter Nicole Morgan Butler (Richard), his daughter, Samantha Morgan Start (Eric). From a previous marriage; his son, Mike (Kris) Morgan, his son-in-law Ed Kinder. He is survived by his siblings, sister Fern Ockey, sister Barbra (Dick) Prouse. Preceded in death by his daughter, Paula Kinder and his sister, Donna Hawke. He has 14 grandchildren, 20 great grand children and 1 great-great grandchild. The family wished to pay special tribute to the many family members, friends and loved ones who were in Derrell’s life. Special recognition to the CURO Home Health and Hospice Staff, who gave loving care to Derrell and compassionate assistance to Marilyn. Funeral services will be held at Jenkins-Soffe Funeral Chapel South Valley, located at 1007 West South Jordan Pkwy. The viewing will be from 10:30am - 11:45am under the direction of Jenkins-Soffe with funeral service following at 12 noon. Interment will be at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park at 3401 Highland Drive, Salt Lake City, Utah. Derrell was passionate about nature and the great outdoors, especially his beloved dogs and cats. His love of all animals was enduring even to the end. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your local Humane Society in Derrell’s memory.