Obituary of Virgil L. Morgan

Mr. Virgil �Sam� Lee Morgan, age 88, of Boone, passed away Wednesday, February 3, 2016, at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center. He was preceded in death by his wife, Beverly Kay Morgan. One of 4 children born in Washington, Indiana to Wilbur and Iris Morgan, Virgil was a part of the Army Air Corp occupation forces in the Pacific after World War II. He went on to graduate from Indiana University on the GI bill. His first job in a lifelong career in education was as business education teacher and basketball head coach at Gosport High School in Gosport, Indiana. In 1957, he and his family moved to Hollywood, Florida and continued teaching business at Ft. Lauderdale High School. At this time, during the summers, he and his wife Beverly attended Appalachian Teachers College, later known as Appalachian State University, and received their Masters Degrees. Next he moved to South Broward High School in the 1960s to be a guidance councilor and golf coach, then worked at Nova High school in the guidance department. That was followed in the 1970s and 80s with jobs as Vice Principal at Hollywood Hills High School and then Principal at Miramar High School. The next step was a move to the administrative department of Broward County Schools as Director of Curriculum followed by Area Superintendent. Virgil retired in 1994 after 6 years as Superintendent of School for Broward County Florida, the largest fully accredited school system in the United States at the time. Goals achieved as Superintendent were working with Apple Computer to have a computer in every classroom and supported a bond issue that built 85 new schools and renovated many others. He was a champion of reading to improve student literacy and received an Honorary Doctorate degree from Nova Southeastern University. Virgil had an intense interest in The Civil War along with Presidents Lincoln and John F. Kennedy. He is survived by two sons, Thomas P. Morgan and wife Nancy J. of Mint Hill, N.C., and John L. Morgan and wife Karen of Pembroke Pines, Florida. Two sisters, Suzanne Phillippe of Indianapolis, Indiana and Emily Walls of Brisbane, Australia. One granddaughter Sarah, two grandsons Michael and James, and a great-granddaughter Ariel. Funeral services will be conducted Friday, February 12, 2016 at 11 a.m. in the Friendship United Methodist Church, (1592 Friendship Church Road) Boone. The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. prior to the service in the church. Burial will follow in the Friendship United Methodist Church Cemetery. Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Morgan family. Online condolences may be shared with the family at the website www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com