John Henry Morgan
Despite everyone always telling him “you look great,” John Henry Morgan, 66, of Petoskey died June 15, 2024 after having lived with his cancer, multiple myeloma, since 2013. Multiple myeloma is a rare form of blood/bone marrow cancer of no definitive cause that does not have a cure. Constant monitoring and ongoing treatment to attempt to control it from advancing isn’t a pleasant or easy endeavor for patients. At times, it was tough on John dealing with all the challenges brought on from the illness and its treatment. He still felt that he was fortunate that he was able to survive longer than many who have this disease.
John was born May 21, 1958, in Onaway as the fourth of nine children of James and Sarah (Vote) Morgan. He attended Onaway Area Community Schools and graduated as valedictorian in 1976. He continued his education at Central Michigan University, North Central Michigan College, and the University of Wisconsin. John worked as a registered nurse at Northern Michigan Hospital/McLaren Northern Michigan for 35 years until his medical retirement in 2015. He started his career by working with oncology and surgical patients, moved on to the intensive care unit, then finished his career as the team leader of the I.V. therapy department. He was respected not only for his intelligence, dedication, and clinical skills, but also for his compassionate delivery of care. He was admittedly a bit of a perfectionist and liked to have things done his way, which wasn’t always appreciated by some. He received the Nightingale Award in Nursing from the hospital on two occasions. For many years, until his own illness made it difficult to do so, he was a volunteer for Camp Quality, a camp for children with cancer. He took on the various roles of camper companion, nurse, staff coordinator, and board member over the years.
John enjoyed travel with friends when he could, especially yearly winter trips to the Caribbean to escape the snow, catch some sun, and walk the beach. He also enjoyed several trips to Europe and multiple fishing/camping trips to the Boundary Waters in northern Minnesota and fly-in trips in Canada. He enjoyed being able to share his cottage and the beach at Hammond Bay on Lake Huron with family, friends and neighbors. He had a creative artistic side. He kept beautiful flower and vegetable gardens, remodeled his houses, and was an excellent cook and baker. He enjoyed making pies to share from raspberries that he grew in his garden and special birthday or holiday cakes or cookies for friends. If you were fortunate enough, you may have received one of his Santa wood carvings or one of the many quilts he made. He even taught himself to knit. It was a good skill to have when he lost his hair from chemotherapy and he and others needed hats.
He was proceeded in death by both of his parents. He is survived by all eight of his s
John requested that there be no funeral and that he be cremated. His ashes will be distributed to some of his friends and family to scatter at places where he enjoyed being. A memorial stone will be placed to honor him at the North Allis Township Cemetery, Onaway, where generations of Morgan relatives are buried. It was his hope that he made a difference as a son, brother, uncle, nurse, neighbor and friend. Please feel free to do a kind deed or something unexpected for someone else in his memory.
“To those I may have wronged,
I ask for forgiveness.
To those I may have helped,
I wish that I did more.
To those I neglected to help,
l ask for understanding.
To those who helped me,
I sincerely thank you so much….”