 MORGAN, EUGENE "GENE" R. 1941-2013 Eugene R. Morgan, SMSGT USAF (ret.), age 71, a resident of Los Lunas, NM, went home to his Lord and Savior on Friday, April 12. He was a charter member of the Los Lunas Rotary Club, a member of the Blue Max Aviation Society Albuquerque, International Airport and A.O.P.A. Gene was born on September 21, 1941 in Utica, NY. He spent many years training, or on missions at the following: Big Bear Community College, Moses Lake, Washington; Community College of the Air Force, NCO Academy; Flight Engineer on Sikorsky HH-53 and HH-3 Helicopters; 1550th Kirtland AFB 1976-1982, Albuquerque, NM; Hill AFB, Ogden, UT; Francis E. Warren AFB, Cheyenne, WY; Lackland AFB, San Antonio, TX; Sheppard AFB, Wichita Falls, TX; Larson AFB, Moses Lake, WA; Bent waters, Royal Air Force Base, England; Woodbridge England and lived in Ipswich England 1970-1974; 1975-1976 Assigned to the US Navy for search and rescue missions at Keflavik, Iceland; 1966-1967 Vietnam War Veteran, Air Rescue Det 14 39th Air Rescue stationed ? N?ng Saigon South Vietnam Nakhon Phanom, Udorn, Thailand; flew missions in M? Gi? Pass, North Vietnam, Vientiane, Laos and Cambodia; and flew missions in Malta, Cypress, Italy, Greenland, Norway, Crete, Morocco, Gibraltar and Spain. He retired after 20 years of honorable service, in which time he received the following medals: Vietnam Service Medal with three Bronze Stars, AF Longevity Service Award Ribbon with four Oak Leaf Clusters, Combat Readiness Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, NCO Professional Military Education Ribbon, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon with one Bronze Star, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm. His FAA Licenses were: Single, Multi-engine, instrument, air frame and power plant mechanic, Inspection Authorization. At one time he was a FAA Designated mechanic examiner who issued licensees to new mechanics. He also was part of the charter board for the aviation program curriculum at Central New Mexico Community College. Gene was the owner of Morgan Aviation in Midvalley Airpark, Los Lunas for over 30 years. His business was his love, and his passion for his aviation was where he restored, bought, sold, painted, and repaired general aviation aircraft. He was an avid deer and elk hunter and had many years of wonderful stories he would share. He had a passion for NFL Football and avid Buffalo Bills and the New York Giants fan. He made friends wherever he went, and is survived by countless friends and acquaintances throughout the aviation community and the world. He was preceded in death by Emerson Morgan Sr. and Beatrice Sheets Morgan; sisters, Janet Well and Nancy Nichol; and daughter, Michelle Cordero. Gene is survived by his loving wife of 49 years, Judy; daughter, Melinda Morgan of Morrisville, NY; Michael Morgan and his wife Nicole of Los Lunas, NM; daughter, Heather Sanchez Morgan and her husband Richard Lee Sanchez Jr. of Fort Carson, CO; grandchildren, Joshua Springer of Munnsville, NY, Ryan Springer of Morrisville, NY, Carlos Cordero, Cassaundra Cordero, Cassie Cordero of Los Lunas, NM, and Leanne Morgan and Jonathan Morgan of Los Lunas, NM; great-grandchildren, Caleb Eugene Sanchez, Alexa Sanchez, Ava Sanchez of Fort Carson, CO, and Jasmine Springer of Munnsville, NY; sisters, Dorothy and her husband Ray Gunther of Hamilton, NY, Phyllis and her husband Charlie Faulkner of Lexington, KY, Dianne and husband Bill Gunthorpe of Morrisville, NY, and Barbara Springer and husband Tom of Madison, NY; brothers, Emerson Morgan Jr. of Bouckville, NY, Larry Morgan of Norwich, NY, and Alfred Morgan Sr. of Camden, NY. Gene was a loving, devoted husband, father, grandfather, and brother who was loved dearly and respected by many. He will be greatly missed. Keep em flying! Services will be held Thursday, April 18th at San Clemente Parish Catholic Church, 244 Luna Ave NE, Los Lunas, NM, beginning at 8:30 a.m. with a visitation, the Rosary will begin at 9:00 a.m., followed by a funeral Mass at 9:30 a.m. A reception will follow services. Burial will be at Santa Fe National Cemetery on Tuesday, April 23, at 11:15 a.m. with full military honors. In Lieu of flowers please make a donation to www.woundedwarriorproject.org PO BOX 758517 Topeka, KS 66675. Arrangements are being handled by the caring professionals at the Noblin Funeral Service Los Lunas Chapel, 2211-D Main St. (505) 866-9992, where an online guest register is available at www.noblinfuneralservice.com
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