Ira Lon Morgan

Dr. Ira Lon Morgan passed away peacefully at his home on Thursday, June 30th, 2005. Lon was born in Fort Worth, August 3, 1926 to Ira Meeks and Winnie Mae Morgan. He spent his early childhood in Fort Worth. He attended school in many cities graduating in 1943 from Texarkana High School. During WWII he served in the Naval Air Corps stationed in the Pacific Theater. After World War II he enrolled at Texas Christian University. He and Mary were married in 1948 and he received his BA in 1949 and MA in 1951 from TCU. He and Mary moved to Austin to continue his education and he received his PhD in Physics and Mathematics in 1954 from the University of Texas. He majored in Nuclear and Atomic Physics and performed research in nuclear structure after assisting in the construction of the University of Texas’ first high voltage (“atom smasher”) accelerator at Balcones Research center as an AEC Post Doc Fellow and Assistant Director of the Nuclear Physics Research Laboratory. Dr. Lon Morgan founded and co-founded several business enterprises in the Austin and Central Texas area to include: Texas Nuclear Corporation, Columbia Scientific Industries, Scientific Measurement Systems and Integrated Digital Modeling Corporation. His last business endeavor, Advanced Molecular Imaging Systems Inc. based in Denton Texas, was founded for the manufacture and supply of radioisotopes to the nuclear medicine industry for diagnostic detection and therapy of cancer and other diseases. Dr. Morgan was President of the Austin Chamber of Commerce in 1967 and Professor of Physics and Director of the Center of Nuclear Studies at UT-Austin from 1966 to 1976. He served as Adjunct Professor and Assistant to the Vice President of Research at the University of North Texas from 1987 to 1997. His association with the University of North Texas began in the 1970’s as Co-Chairman of the International Accelerator Conference. He was on the original Board of Directors of the Allan Shivers Radiation Therapy Center, the Lay Board of Directors of Seton Hospital, member of Town and Gown. He was elected a Fellow of the American Physical Society, American Nuclear Society and was appointed to many professional memberships and National Committees and was an elected member of the Cosmos Club in Washington, D.C. He was also listed in many Scientific and Technology Registries. He has authored and co-authored over 120 publications and papers in Scientific journals. He established grants and scholarships at the University of Texas, the University of North Texas and Texas Christian University. He was dedicated to the growth of his profession and contributed greatly through his visionary efforts. He is survived by his wife, Mary Massey Morgan; his daughter, Dr. Marilon Morgan, his son, David Stanton Morgan and his wife Mary Blair Morgan, his daughter Carol Ann Morgan, two grandsons, Graham Scott Raff and Ira James Morgan and his wife Melissa Morgan, four granddaughters, Avis Lynn Morgan and her husband Dwayne Crow, Kate Marie Morgan, Adrianne Michelle Raff and Jessica Morgan Raff, one great granddaughter, Trinity Morgan Raff; his brother, Wallace Morgan and wife Rosemary of Fort Worth and many nieces and nephews. He loved his family dearly and looked forward to family gatherings each Sunday. For the last 22 years of his life he was devoted to his extended family, working with others in the 12 Step program of recovery, living one day at a time, enjoying one moment at a time and accepting hardships as the pathway to peace. The family wishes to thank their church family for their prayers and loving support during this lengthy illness. It is with special appreciation and gratitude that we recognize the devoted efforts of Dr. Thomas McHorse and Dr. Paul Harford; as well as the many physicians and nurses at Seton Hospital that provided superior medical care. Visitation will be on Saturday, July 2, 2005 from 6-8 pm at Weed Corley-Fish Funeral Home. Services will be Sunday at 2:00 p.m. at Highland Park Baptist Church. Interment will follow at Austin Memorial Park. Memorial contributions may be made to Seton Medical Center/Seton Fund, 1201 W. 38th St, Austin, TX 78705 Memorials and guestbook online at wcfish.com