Hubert "Hugh" Augustus Morgan Jr.

Hugh, son of Ruth Hilda and Hubert Augustus Morgan, was born in Beaumont, TX. Hugh was a hard worker early on, rising early to manage a neighborhood paper route. Upon high school graduation in 1953, Hugh was awarded a government Navy scholarship to the University of Texas at Austin where he honed his knack for penny-pinching as Treasurer of the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering. A Mid-Shipman’s Ball in Corpus Christi would bring Hugh together with future wife-to-be, Marianne. The two would go on to be married for 66 years.

The most defining period of Hugh’s professional life was the four years he served in the U.S. Navy, rising to the rank of Lieutenant while serving as Chief Engineering Officer on the destroyer, the USS Rowan. During his years in the Navy, he served an important role as the Chaplain on the ship, and he was always available to tell a captive audience about his time at sea when he and shipmates watched the nuclear testing performed during Operation Dominic just off Christmas Island. He would excitedly recount the mushroom cloud they watched through a negative film while wearing radio badges to measure the levels of radioactivity.

Ever the University of Texas Longhorn, Hugh’s blood “ran burnt orange”, as they say. An active member of the UT Alumni foundation, Hugh rarely missing a televised UT football game in his later years while donning a full-length UT Snuggie blanket that was never far from his recliner.

Hugh was, above all, a man of faith. At Ridgewood Church of Christ in Beaumont TX, Hugh served as a trusted Deacon. During his retirement years, Hugh and Marianne attended Brentwood Oaks Church of Christ in Austin with Hugh organizing services every Sunday for the Village Christian Apartments retirement community. Hugh’s ministry outreach work with World Bible School correspondence course would see him sharing the Gospel with students around the world, and his work with the church also included overseas missions travel to Russia, Trinidad, South Africa, and more.

Outside of work and service, singing was one of Hugh’s great passions. Hugh’s booming bass was a welcome addition at church, in the men’s barbershop choir in Beaumont and later as a member of The Sweet Expressions A Cappella singing group in Austin. Even in his final days at home, Hugh enjoyed singing his favorite hymns.

Hugh and Marianne had three daughters, living over the years in San Diego, New Jersey, Rochester NY and Beaumont TX where Hugh was employed as Manager of the Lube Plant at Beaumont’s Mobil Oil Refinery for nearly 30 years before retiring to the Austin, TX Hill Country.

If you asked Hugh about his fondest memories, he’d tell you about summer road trips taken with the family to San Diego, CA. Ever the planner, Hugh spent countless hours in his home office drafting a travel budget and meticulously outlining the three-day route. When the cool San Diego breeze at last wafted through the car, Hugh joined the family in a rousing chorus of “California, Here We Come.”

Hugh made his final pilgrimage to San Diego with Marianne in 2023, settling near their daughter Misty, and enjoying the cool ocean breezes and memories of summers past.

Hugh was preceded in death by his parents, Ruth and Hubert A. Morgan, and his daughter Melody Morgan. He is survived by his wife, Marianne, and daughters Misty Morgan of San Diego and Noelle Morgan (Alan Carr) of New York; grandchildren Morgan, Lyla and Adeline; brother John Morgan (Shirley) and sister Ann Styles (James), brother-in-law, Buzz Sanders (Diana) and several nieces and nephews. Hugh also leaves behind his beloved dog, Clover, who was beside him every day.

A private service will take place at the Miramar National Military Cemetery on Friday, February 14, 2025.

Memorial contributions may be made to some of Hugh’s favorite causes:

World Bible School at https://www.worldbibleschool.net/give/

United Cerebral Palsy of San Diego at https://www.ucpsd.org/

University of Texas Alumni Association at https://www.texasexes.org/give