Morgan "Colonel" Birge II

Morgan Birge, II, 84, of Fredericksburg, Virginia passed away on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on March 2, 1941, in Baltimore, Maryland, to the late Morgan Birge and Nellye Birge.

Morgan is preceded in death by his parents, his sister Molly Birge Knight, and his brother-in-law Michael Knight. He is survived by his wife, Cathron Birge; his children, Cathron Birge Donaldson, Morgan Birge, III, and David Birge; son-in-law Sam Donaldson and daughter-in-law Kirsten Birge; his seven grandchildren, Cathron “Cate” Donaldson, Thomas “Trip” Donaldson, Charles “Charley” Donaldson, Tyler Morgan Birge, Madison Birge, Ryan Birge, and Henry Birge; sister-in-law Nathalie Smith and brother-in-law Jan Smith.

"Colonel,” as he was known to his family and friends, lived in Virginia for the majority of his life, and was immensely proud to call himself a Virginian. He enjoyed water sports, fishing, boating, golfing, and spending time with family at “Wiskataway,” the family home on Nomini Creek on the Northern Neck of Virginia. He fell in love with snow skiing in 1969 and enjoyed skiing with family and friends through the age of 80, passing on his love of skiing to his children and grandchildren. He thoroughly enjoyed travelling with Cathron and taking the family on numerous trips, whether it be to the beach, or ski trips (especially to Snowshoe, WV), all of which became treasured family memories

Morgan was a proud graduate of The University of Virginia (UVA), where he was a lettered member of the track team, and was a founding member of the UVA chapter of Pi Kappa Phi fraternity. Upon graduation from UVA, he began his career serving his country as an officer in the United States Army, assigned to The Special Activities Division at the National Photographic Intelligence Center (NPIC). This led to over 15 years as a member of the US Army Reserves, and a 40+ year Federal Government career in imagery intelligence, which included positions with Army Intelligence, Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), NPIC, Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), National Intelligence Management Staff, and as Technical Director of the DIA Imagery Intelligence Directorate.

Morgan played a pivotal role in the development of new and improved imagery exploitation technology and instruments. He received many government awards and commendations over the years, including a Presidential Improvement Award in 1986, in which he was recognized by President Ronald Reagan (presented by then Vice President George H. W. Bush) for his persistence and determination in the development and procurement of light tables for the Intelligence Community. His efforts led to a savings of over $5.5 million to the government.

Morgan worked hard but always prioritized family, coaching all his children’s soccer teams over the years, taking great pride in each of his children’s (and grandchildren’s) accomplishments. He was especially proud to be the coach of the “Roadrunners,” his daughter, Cathron’s, travel soccer team, which was a multi-year state cup winning team. He always considered the 34 young women who were a part of the Roadrunners to be his “extended daughters.”

Morgan was passionate in his devotion to his faith and as a servant of God. Throughout his life he was active in his church congregations, including at Church of the Good Shepherd in Burke, VA, where he served as a member of the Vestry, and on the Minister Search Committee.

A memorial service will take place on Sunday, February 1, 2026, at 1 p.m. at Mullins and Thompson Funeral Home, 1621 Emancipation Hwy, Fredericksburg, VA. Reception to follow at Celebrate Virginia Lodge, 10 Montera Ave., Fredericksburg VA. An interment will take place at Quantico Cemetery on Monday, February 2, 2026, at 9:30 AM.

Morgan loved flowers and would be pleased to have some at his memorial service. Other donations may be made to the Table at St. George’s (a fund to provide meals to those in need) at this link: https://giving.myamplify.io/app/giving/stg (select the “One-time” tab at the top and then type in “The Table” in the “In Thanksgiving For” box), or checks can be made out and mailed to St. George’s Episcopal Church, memo: “The Table – Morgan Birge Memorial,” P.O. Box 7127 Fredericksburg, VA, 22404.

Additionally, donations can also be made to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation to support the waterways that Morgan loved at this link:https://secure.cbf.org/site/Donation2?df_id=1502&mfc_pref=T&1502.donation=form1