Donald Eugene Morgan

Damascus, Virginia

Donald Eugene Morgan, 85, passed away Wednesday, June 21, 2023, surrounded by his loving family.

He was born June 23, 1937, in Damascus, Virginia to the late Robert Lee and Myrtle Diedith Morgan. Don remained a life-long resident of Damascus where he served in many roles in his community. He was a member of the Damascus Town Council for numerous terms during which the town pool and park playgrounds were realized. One of the many lasting legacies Don will leave in the town of Damascus is the annual Trail Days Festival, which he was instrumental in establishing. Don was chief of the Damascus Volunteer Fire Department and a little league coach for a number of years. Don was also a Navy Veteran and then went on to work for and retire from Ball Corporation, formerly Reynolds Metals, where he was the quality assurance manager. Above all, Don was devoted to and loved his family.

Don was an avid reader and made many weekly trips to the Damascus Public Library. Don loved to travel to the beach and his favorite trips were the ones with his kids and grandbabies.

In his younger years, Don would prowl the river banks and dip a line and would never turn down a game of cards. He taught his kids the way to run a pool table and how to beat an old electric pinball machine. Don had a bad shoulder, but he would willingly dislocate it several times to prove his merit in the slow-pitch softball league in Damascus.

Don would say that he wasn’t an animal lover, but his kids know that every animal they had growing up came home with dad and many of them in a Volkswagen Beetle. Poppy Don was always counted on as a “get out of school early” ride – no questions asked. He truly would do anything for his grandchildren. Don was not a man of many words, but we knew through his dedication of his great and enduring love for all of us.

In addition to his parents, Don was preceded in death by two brothers, Bill Morgan and Carl Morgan; and nephew Shawn Rhudy.

He is survived by his children, Jeffrey Stephen (Cindy) Morgan, Melissa “Missy” (David) Morrison, Robert Eugene Morgan, and Tony (Teresa) Bebber; sister, Carolyn (Jack) Rhudy; sister-in-law, Betty Sweet; grandchildren, Alex Morgan, Mariah Morrison, Carrie Morgan, Cade Morrison, Kennedy Morgan, Josh Bebber (Bre), Jessica Blankenship (Benny); great-grandchildren, Audrey Hess, Abigail Bebber, Caleb Blankenship, Mason Bebber, Hudson Blankenship, and Harper Bebber. Don was also survived by his niece, Tanya Richardson (Rick); nephews, Jonathan Sweet (Colleen) and Scott Morgan; great- nephews, Dylan Richardson, Brycen Richardson and Charlie Sweet. He is also survived by his lifelong best friend and mother of his children, Bobby Rowe Skeens.

The family will hold a private celebration of life at a later date.

The family would like to extend a very special thank you to his private caregiver Grace Vette, his favorite physical therapist (and secret girlfriend) Lana, and to the wonderful staff at NHC Bristol who took such loving care of Dad.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Don’s honor to your local public library, volunteer fire department or youth sports organizations.

Frost Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Morgan family.