Sam Burge Morgan, born August 29,1932, to Herman and Iris Burge Morgan, died peacefully at his home at Trezevant July 4, 2024. Upon graduating from Treadwell High School in 1950, he enlisted in the US Air Force. He then earned a degree in psychology from the University of Memphis, and having been awarded a National Defense Scholarship, he earned his MA and PhD degrees in clinical psychology from the University of Arkansas.
Sam returned to the University of Memphis as Assistant Professor and Coordinator of Graduate Studies in the Department of Psychology and was a member of the team that inaugurated the first PhD degree at the University of Memphis. From 1967 to 1978 he was Chief of Psychology at the University Tennessee Child Development Center and Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Tennessee. From 1978 to1983 he was Professor and Director of Clinical Training at the University of Memphis Department of Psychology, and from 1983 to 2010 he was Professor and Coordinator of the Child Clinical Psychology Program, University of Memphis.
His career was devoted to mentoring students and to furthering successful treatment for children with emotional and behavioral disorders and developmental disabilities with a special focus on autism. He published many articles and a book, The Unreachable Child, in an effort to explain the mysterious syndrome both to parents and professionals. In 1992 he earned the university’s Distinguished Teaching Award and retired as Professor Emeritus in 2010.
Sam loved sports, especially Cardinals baseball, running 10Ks and a marathon, fishing, and playing tennis, softball and basketball. He also enjoyed playing his guitar, and he sang lead in a band of psychologists and their students.
He was predeceased by his parents, two sisters Barbara McClure and Sue Younger, and his loving wife Pat Calliham. He is survived by his wife Marion Birge Morgan; his daughters Cindi Nichols, Melinda Quinn and her husband Marty, Lisa Morgan, and Suzy Morgan Graves; his brother Ronald Morgan; and his sister Anita Mitchell. He leaves seven grandchildren and one great grandchild.
Sam has donated his body to the University of Tennessee. A memorial service will be held at St. Edward Chapel at Trezevant July 17, at 1:00. Sam’s family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials be sent to the Trezevant Foundation, 177 N. Highland 38111, trezevantmanor.org, 901-325-4000; MIFA, www.mifa.org, 901-529-4544; University of Memphis, [email protected], 901-678-3953; or the charity of the donor’s choice.
