Lawrence R. Morgan

"The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away. Blessed be the name of the Lord."Job 1:21. This was Lawrence Reeves "Cotton" Morgan's favorite scripture. He had a wonderful life but it was not without hardship and trials. As a farmer he saw the Lord send a hurricane to destroy his crops and then to bring him great blessings in many prosperous crops. In later years he struggled with many health problems but he was given the blessing of a loving family and many good friends. He took his blessings and hardships in stride and lived life to the fullest. On December 27, 2011 the Lord relieved Cotton of all of his physical burdens and called him to his heavenly home. Just a few hours after the Lord took Cotton away he gave his family the blessing of Owen Carter Farnsworth, Cotton's 3rd great grandson. He was predeceased by his parents; his wife of 54 years, Jean Ann "Dallas" Gudger Morgan and her parents Mary Nan and Henry Gudger: and his brother Billy and wife Oberia Morgan. His loved ones left to cherish his memory are his children: daughter and son in law, Pamela and Clayton Bland; son and daughter in law, Lawrence Reeves, Jr. "Larry" and Mary Morgan; brother and sister in law, Lee Denny and Mona Ruth Morgan; Grandchildren: Clayton Earl, Jr. and Janice Bland, Hunter Morgan Bland, Lawrence Reeves, III "Trey" and Renae Morgan, Laura Ann and Steven Farnsworth.; Step granddaughter: Keely Doggett; Great grand children: Lawrence Reeves Morgan, IV, Lexi Noelle Morgan, Reese James Morgan, Morgan Ann Farnsworth, Leslie Jean Farnsworth, Owen Carter Farnsworth. Cotton was born at home in Katy, Texas on February 1, 1931 to Edward Reeves "Ned" and Edith Denny Morgan. Cotton was raised on a farm in Fulshear, Texas. He talked about riding his horse to Fulshear Elementary School and then riding a bus to Richmond High School. He was president of his junior and senior class and played center on the Richmond Tigers football team. He graduated in the last class of Richmond High School in 1948. He attended Texas A& M College where he was a member of the Corps of Cadets and Wharton County Jr. College. He married his high school sweetheart and the love of his life Jean Ann "Dallas" Gudger Morgan in Richmond at St. John's United Methodist Church right before he was drafted into the U. S. Army. Before going into the service he was baptized at St. John's. He served in the Army from 1951-1953. He loved telling stories about his Army experiences, especially about the time he spent in Germany. He came back to Richmond to live with Jean Ann and their daughter Pamela Ann. They were soon joined by a son, Lawrence Reeves "Larry Morgan, Jr. in 1955. Cotton worked for Houston Lighting and Power and rice farmed part time until 1961 when he became a full time farmer. He was eventually joined by his son Larry farming rice in the Fulshear-Katy area. He cherished having his grandson Trey spend time at the farm. "Lawrence 1 & 3" formed a life long relationship. In the last few years Trey was a companion as well as a help to him in his daily life. In 1987 he farmed his last crop and then he and Jean Ann began a new career in real estate. He loved Texas A & M and nothing delighted him more than when his grandchildren, Clay, Hunter and Laura graduated from there. He was especially proud when Clay and Hunter entered the Corps of Cadets and were commissioned into the Army upon graduation as well as watching Laura perform with the Aggie Dance Team at basketball games. He was a loyal father and grandfather attending all of the dance recitals, baseball games and football games that his children and grandchildren participated in. He had three Boston terriers, Sissy I, Sissy II, and Sadie who he spoiled and cooked special food for them to eat. Sadie was his last dog and a great companion to him in his last years. Sissy 1 was his constant companion riding with him and his grandsons in the boat on their fishing trips at Caney Creek. He always missed the prime time to fish in order to cook breakfast for his friends and family. He enjoyed sharing his love of fishing and hunting with his grandsons. He gave them their first 22 rifles. He had a lifetime enjoyment of cooking. He loved to cook for the family on holidays. Turkey and dressing was his specialty. In later years he started frying turkeys for family, friends and clients. He also loved to barbecue and fry fish for friends and family. Cotton enjoyed the simple life of being with family and friends. He was a little man with a big heart. He had an independent spirit quick to anger but even quicker to forgive others shortcomings. He was loved by young and old alike and he loved all people. Funeral services will be at 10 a. m., Wednesday, January 4, 2012 at First Baptist Church in Richmond. Interment will follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park in Rosenberg. Visitation is from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2012 in the Chapel of Davis-Greenlawn Funeral Home in Rosenberg. If desired, memorial contributions may be made in memory of Cotton to The First Baptist Church of Richmond 502 South Fifth Street Richmond, Texas 77469 or to the Texas A & M Foundation, 401 George Bush Drive, College Station, Texas77840-2811, Attn: Lawrence R. and Jean Ann Morgan Memorial Fund.

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Lawrence R. Morgan

February 1, 1931 - December 27, 2011