Leonard Lee Morgan was born on July 4, 1939, in Durant, Okla., the son of J.C. and Louise (Harris) Morgan. He grew up in Durant attending Durant Public Schools and graduated in 1957.
He was a member of First Baptist Church in Durant from the age of 12. While still in high school, he enlisted in the Oklahoma National Guard and in 1964 was selected for Officer Candidate School in Ft. Benning, Ga., receiving his commission as 1st Lieutenant. He served 18 years in the National Guard and became the Company Commander of the Idabel, Okla. division.
He continued his education at Southeastern State College in Durant while on a football scholarship, graduating with his Bachelor’s Degree in physical education and ultimately a Master’s Degree in Education.
Leonard was united in marriage to Patricia Ann Hooser in 1960 and they were blessed with two daughters and a son. After graduating from college, he and his wife moved to Alamogordo, N.M., where he taught History and coached for two years. They returned to Durant to continue his teaching career at Durant Middle School where he coached football and taught P.E., then became Assistant Principle and Principal, prior to retiring after 30 years.
Leonard was the manager of the City Pool during the summers for many years, he was a member of the Durant Lions Club and he also served on the Board of Directors for the Durant First National Bank. He continued to serve the community of Durant working for the City of Durant as the Director of Parks and Recreation and Director of Public Works. In 1998, the City of Durant honored him by naming a Park on South Highway 78 after him.
Leonard Lee Morgan died on Feb. 7, 2022 at the age of 82.
He is survived by his wife, Pat, of 61 years; three children: Leiann Bahe and Tim of Durant, Okla., Layne Morgan and Pam of Durant, Okla., and Leslie Prentice and Walter of Bokchito, Okla.; grandchildren: Dillon Bahe, Madison Bahe, Alysse Bollier, Ashley Morgan, Melisse Prentice, Katheryn Warren and Kaitlyn Prentice; and great-grandchildren: Amber Bahe, Hally Bollier, Brody Warren, Bentlee Warren, Addison Warren and Winston Williamson.
Leonard was preceded in death by his parents, J.C. and Louise Morgan and sisters, Mary Ann Morgan and Ruth Ann Marlin.
A funeral service in honor of his life will be at 10 a.m., Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022, at the Durant First Baptist Church in Durant with Bro. Garry McNeill and Skip Robinson officiating. The burial will be private.
Services are under the direction of Holmes~Coffey~Murray Funeral Home, 121 N. Fifth Ave. in Durant. www.holmescoffeymurray.com