James Ellis Morang

James Ellis Morang was born in Salisbury, Maryland, on October 6, 1942, to Ralph and Frances Morang. He grew up in Winterville, Georgia, and graduated from Athens High School. He attended North Georgia College and the University of Georgia. He graduated from Emory Dental School in 1967 with high honors. On June 17, 1967, he married Laura B. Morang.

After dental school, Jim and Laura moved to Boston, where Jim served as a dentist in the U.S. Navy at the Boston Naval Shipyard from 1967 to 1969. Jim then returned to Emory to attend a graduate program in orthodontics.

Jim and Laura moved back to Athens in 1971, where Jim began his successful orthodontic practice, correcting the teeth and bite of Athens’ teenagers for thirty-five years. He was known to ask his patients who got in trouble at school that day, hoping not to hear his own children’s names. He loved his patients like family.

Jim also volunteered to provide services to those without access to dental care, often treating patients without charge. After his retirement, he received oral surgery training from friends Dr. Rod Creagh and Dr. Steve Fennell and at professional seminars to better serve his pro-bono patients. He traveled to Nicaragua, Mexico, and the Philippines to perform dental work. He was dedicated to the Athens Nurses Clinic—now Athens Wellness Clinic—where he served as a volunteer dentist (2005 to 2020), board member, and chief tomato gatherer for the annual tomato sandwich fundraiser.

He brought the same focus to his hobbies and made lifelong friendships in the bicycling, sailing, and motorcycling communities.

After beginning bicycling in the 1990s, Jim rode the Bicycle Ride Across Georgia multiple times, and he peddled through Arizona to Mexico with friend Billy Lacher.

Jim learned to sail in his forties and raced his beloved boats, including J/33 Boomorang and J/92 Amigos, at Lake Lanier Sailing Club and throughout the Southeast. Jim and friend David Pritchard won the SORC in Miami, Charleston Race Week in 1997 and 1998, and the AISC Wednesday night sailing series for a decade. For many years, he and children William and Sarah raced the J/22 Pyg, with spirited debate on the starting line.

Jim rode motorcycles for most of his life, beginning on an Enduro and enjoying time and travel on Harley-Davidsons and later a Ducati. He traveled twice with friend Rusty Quarterman through Mexico and Central America, with his only mishaps being a case of bedbugs and a dented rim repaired in a small town, after which he went home for dinner with the mechanic.

Jim’s family was the most important thing in his life. He leaves behind his wife of 58 years, Laura; their children, Clayton (Regina), Katie (Nick), Sarah (Woody), and William (Lauren); and grandchildren, Nicholas, Isabel, Bowen, and Arlo. Special canine companion, Henry, was always by Jim’s side.

His family members treasure their memories, including adventures in Boston during his Navy service, Boy Scout trips, a New England college tour, boating, ambitious family vacations, and his reliable, supportive presence, especially during hard times. Jim showed his children how to make the most of life by learning new things, being a good friend, and having a wild time, but not without mistakes along the way. His family was with him at the end, and he never lost his sly sense of humor.

A memorial service will be held Sunday, October 12, from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., at The Chapel Athens, 100 Prince Ave., Suite 101, Athens, Georgia 30601. There will be remarks at 3:00 p.m. Jim asked his family to raffle a car at his memorial to ensure that it is well attended, but they told him his friends wouldn’t miss a chance to remember him.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Athens Wellness Clinic (athenswellnessclinic.org).

The family extends its thanks to all who offered friendship through the years, but especially during the last years of his life.

Bernstein Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.