Patrick Joseph Morgan, 77, Liberty, Mo., died Tuesday, November 28, 2023, after a prolonged illness. He was born in Kansas City, Mo., on September 16, 1946, to Joseph E. and Patria (Collins) Morgan. He married his high school sweetheart, Verna Mae (Zurn), in 1968.
Patrick was a graduate of Excelsior Springs High School and lived most of his life in Excelsior Springs, Mo. He was co-publisher of the Town & Country Leader, The Daily Standard and other Leader Publications with his father. He was a board member of the Northwest Missouri Press Association and Central Missouri Press Association. He was active in promoting the Freedom of the Press in the Americas, especially Nicaragua, Panama, El Salvador, Peru and Brazil. He sold the papers in 1986 and became the first reseller of Apple computer systems for newspapers in the state of Missouri as the Electronic Publisher.
Patrick was publisher of the Big Spring Herald, Big Spring, Texas, in the 1990‘s.
In Excelsior Springs, Patrick was a member of St. Ann Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus, and Lions Club. He was a past president of the Excelsior Springs Chamber of Commerce. He was an Eagle Scout and Fire Builder and a member of the Tribe of Mic-O-Say. He attended William Jewell College and Maryville College.
He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Thomas K. Morgan in 1986; and brother-in-law, Charlie Roberts.
Survivors include his wife, Verna Morgan, Liberty, Mo.; daughter and son-in-law, Shanna and Robert Pettegrew, Liberty, Mo.; son and daughter-in-law, Ryan and Nicky Morgan, Liberty, Mo.; grandsons, Patrick Pettegrew, Liberty, Mo., and Dylan Pettegrew, stationed at Luke AFB, Glendale, Ariz.; sister, Shannon Morgan, Excelsior Springs, Mo.; sister, Molly Roberts, Excelsior Springs, Mo.; sister and brother-in-law, Jill and John Clark, Excelsior Springs, Mo.; brother and sister-in-law, Kevin and Sonya Morgan, Excelsior Springs, Mo.; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held from 1 to 2 p.m. Monday, December 4, 2023, followed by funeral service at 2 p.m. at Bross & Spidle Funeral Home, Excelsior Springs, Mo. Burial will follow at Crown Hill Cemetery, Excelsior Springs, Mo.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Gentiva Hospice Foundation at https://www.gentivahs.com/about/donate/.
Our Sincere Condolences
First of all, my prayers and thoughts are with Patrick’s wife Verna Zurn Morgan. I have known Pat all my life. No matter what was going on Pat always had time to chat. I would run in to him every once in a while when I came home from California. He was a great friend to me and will be soooo missed. Condolences to all. R.I.P. PAT.
Paula Woods
Just heard about Patrick. I am so sorry for your loss. He will be missed so much. Was in high school with him and worked for him. The family is in my prayers.
Marvin St John
