James Gregory Morgan, 29, of Beckville, TX, died October 9, 2012 as a result of injuries sustained in an airplane accident outside of Laramie, WY.

He was born August 31, 1983 in Houston, the son of Tracy Arnold Roden and Gregory David Morgan. He graduated from Marshall High School in 2001 as a Texas Scholar. While there, he was a member of the Maverick baseball team and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. James was always active in the Marshall Baseball community, participating in the Marshall Youth Baseball Association from age 4 to 18. From 1998-2004 he umpired for MYBA and later served on their board. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Education from East Texas Baptist University in 2005. Playing third base and serving as a closing pitcher, James currently holds the record in saves among other ETBU accolades. He married Ashley Mae Buchanan, the love of his life and best friend, on November 17, 2007. He was a manager and salesman at C.W. Ford Rentals. James was a loving husband, dedicated father, faithful Christian, and beloved by his family and friends. He was also a member of Immanuel Baptist Church in Marshall.

James is survived by his wife Ashley Buchanan Morgan; his son Kiptyn Brooks Morgan; his mother and step-father Tracy and Greg Roden; his father and stepmother Gregory and Angie Morgan; his sister Ashlee Morgan; his brother Logan Edmonson; his sister Mary Kaylie Roden; and his sister Isabel Morgan. He also leaves his maternal grandfather, Wallace Arnold, and his paternal grandfather David Morgan and David's wife Carolyn. James is also survived by a host of extended family including his great aunt Bonnie Talley and her husband David; uncle Barrie Arnold; aunt Rebecca Arnold; former stepsister Donna Edmonson; in-laws Gail and Mark Buchanan; his wife's paternal grandparents Louise and Frank Cain; his wife's maternal grandfather Max Harding; sister-in-law Loretta Blair and her husband Bart; sister-in-law Leslie McAfee and her husband Josh; brother-in-law Eley Buchanan; nieces Carson Blair, Madison McAfee, Jessie McAfee; and nephews Jackson Blair and Josiah Griffin.

Visitation hours will be on Tuesday from 6-8 p.m. at Immanuel Baptist Church, 2408 W. Pinecrest Dr., Marshall, TX. The funeral will be held on Wednesday at 2 p.m. at Immanuel Baptist Church with Pastors Carlton Burris and Phillip Johnson officiating. Interment will follow at Youngblood Cemetery near Beckville. Services are under the direction of Jimerson-Lipsey Funeral Home.


Active pallbearers will be Dustin Dockery, Logan Edmonson, Jarrod McCuller, Nicholas Martinek, Donald Mitchell, Shawn Schimming, Bryan Sutton, and Heath Sutton.

Honorary pallbearers are Barrie Arnold, Travis Baker, Mark Bayliss, Bart Blair, Eley Buchanan, Jordan Byrd, Serug Camargo, Roy Campbell, Matt Futrell, Kolt Daniel, Bryant Hicks, Phillip Johnson, Jimmy Lancaster, Thomas Larkin, Jackie Lloyd, Josiah Jones, Josh McAfee, Mark Moore, Phillip Presley, Michael Ritter, Barry Sutton, Cody Sutton, Brian Welch, and Gary Worthington.

If desired, donations may be made to the Ashley & Kiptyn Morgan Fund at Panola National Bank, 1510 W. Panola, Carthage, TX 75633.

The family would like to thank the community for the overwhelming expression of prayers, love, and support throughout the past week.

A guestbook may be signed online at www.jimerson-lipsey.com.