Lieutenant Commander
Ventura – Thomas Morgan Morgan passed away on the evening of Sunday, August 27, 2023, surrounded by his family. He was born on December 23, 1925, the only child of Thomas Morgan Morgan Sr, a Welsh immigrant, and Helen Currie Morgan, in Hollywood, CA. He was raised in various places in CA, living with his parents at bridge and highway contracting sites, settling in LA for high school.
Tom graduated from Glendale High School in 1943 and went to Glendale JC for a year before attending Cal Maritime Academy, graduating as 2nd mate on VJ Day. He sailed with the Merchant Marine in 1944-45 to various ports in China, Japan, Wake Is, WA and CA.
Tom met his wife, Tula Postolou, on a date arranged by chance by his good friend Jim Starr and Tula’s sister, Dena. That led to marriage in 1948, a 71-year-long marriage, and two children.
Tom went on to attend USC in 1948-1950, graduating Cum Laude with a degree in Civil Engineering. He enlisted in the Navy Reserves in 1951 (Retired LCDR) and worked at United Water, J Montgomery and the US Bureau of Reclamation from 1951-54 before settling in Ventura, CA at the County of Ventura. He retired in 1991 as the County Deputy Director of Public Works after 36 years, then returned to the same department to continue working until 2013.
Tom enjoyed traveling and searching for dams. He had worked on the Santa Felicia Dam as a graduate and enjoyed visiting every dam that he could find until his young wife limited him to 3 dams a day.
Travel continued to be a strong interest. He and Tula were traveling partners visiting US and Canada with their children and then the world on ship, train, car and plane. Talking to people everywhere they went was a highlight of their travels. In between travels he spent time sailing the Channel Islands on his Columbia 29 taking his family to most of the islands. When there was a gale wind you could count on Tom Morgan to head out of the marina for a sail.
Above everything Family was of the most importance to Tom. He was introduced to his Welsh family in 1939, having sailed on the Queen Mary to Europe, sailing home on the Mauretania the day WW2 started. He often told his children of family connections so they would know who they were visiting. Many of his travels brought him to a place where he and his wife had family; Pawnee OK, Snohomish, WA, Glendale, CA, Astros and Argos Greece.
Tom’s life was full with many interests. He learned about history and geography through stamp collecting for over 90 years. He was a Master Mason 32. He was a handyman; building or fixing anything that his family needed. He would get the biggest smile on his face when he talked to people. But his smile was never bigger than when he met his great-granddaughter.
Tom was preceded in death by his wife, Tula Postolou Morgan, and granddaughter, Stephani Ann Klibo. He is survived by son William (Cherie) Morgan and daughter Pamela (Rolf) Klibo, grandchildren Jason (Lissette) Morgan, Nathaniel (Angela) Morgan, Kristian Klibo, Erik Klibo and great-granddaughter Iora Echo Morgan.
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