Charles Troy Morgal

Charles Troy Morgal, born as Troy Fayette Haner Jr., February 3rd, 1930 in Woodbine, Iowa, to June Enid Haner (Simmons) and Troy Fayette Haner Sr., later adopted by John Algae Morgal, passed away in his home in Lincoln, Neb., on July 6th, 2021. Charles is survived by his children, Cindy Morgal- Kretsch, Cherie (Craig) Ojala, Colleen (Al) Paiva, Collin (Sue) Morgal, Cami Morgal, Chris (Tylee) Morgal, Ginny (JD) Mitchell, Dakota Morgal; sister, Wanda Fletcher; 18 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren; many cousins, other relatives and friends.

Chuck, Chucky, Smiling Chuck or Charley, as he was often called, was known for his athleticism, his service in the Korean War, his career as a California firefighter, his dedication and love for his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, and for his kindness and willingness to help others.

His athletic career spanned decades, beginning in 1948 as a California State Track and Field place winner as a senior at Alameda High School. He was a celebrated 3-time Midwest AAU Golden Glove Boxing Champion in 1950, '56 and '59.

Charles served as a firefighter from 1963-1984 in California. During this time, he competed in the California Firemen’s Olympics in track and field events, winning many medals and holding several records in the 70’s and 80’s. He competed in the World Fire and Police Games in 1987, receiving 2nd place in the pole vault and 4th place in the high jump.

After retiring from the Alameda Fire Department in 1984, Charles moved back to the Midwest, where he kept busy in his retirement by participating in the Cornhusker State Games and the Nebraska State Senior Olympics. His suitcase full of 133 medals is testament to his numerous accomplishments, records and perseverance.

Charles was a Korean War veteran, having served in the Army from March 1951 to December 1952 as a post office clerk.

Charles was an always smiling, friendly character, who was a hard working do-it-yourselfer. He was always working on his own cars, his house, mowers, and even doing handyman work for others. From a life that spanned across ten decades, he was full of stories: meeting famous movie stars, having a role in the 1954 film Johnny Dark, going rounds with Olympic boxing champion Wilber McClure in 1959, driving a firetruck against traffic on the Golden Gate Bridge, his little dog Petey, his daughters’ beauty pageants, his son’s arm wrestling championships, car trips across country, among many, many more tales.

Charles will be greatly missed and his legacy of hard work, dedication and swearing to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help him God, will live on in his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and for generations to come. To anyone who says otherwise, Charley would say “I resemble that.”