Donald Crane Morgan

Donald Crane Morgan (“Don”), 80, passed away peacefully at Angela Hospice on March 26, 2021. A long-time resident of Plymouth, he was a pillar of his church and community for over 55 years.

Don was born in Detroit, Michigan, to Nancy Crane Morgan on September 17, 1940.
He attended Lakewood High School, and after becoming President of the Senior Class, finally got a date with Judy Munro, his wife of 58 years.

Like his mom, Don attended Ohio Wesleyan University, where he joined Sigma Alpha Epsilon (“SAE”), and made many lifelong friends. After graduating in 1962, he would return there often with Judy, most recently for his 55th reunion.

In 1965, Don graduated from the University of Michigan Law School, and moved to Livonia. It was there that Judy, a third grade teacher, met fellow teacher, Judy Chauvin, and then her husband, Paul Chauvin. They would later become “uncle and aunt” to their children, and go-to travel companions. On their trips, Don and Paul would engage in various shenanigans including using aliases and accents. Don and Paul are now together again and are likely involved in Heavenly Hijinks.

Don and Judy moved to Plymouth in 1965 and Don was immediately involved in the community including Rotary (President 1985-86) and The First Presbyterian Church of Plymouth where he served as an Elder, a Member of Session, President of Finance Committee, ran the Audio Visual equipment, and shared his lovely baritone with the Choir. Don would later become a representative to the Presbytery of Detroit, a role he found both challenging and rewarding.

Don joined Wayne II Republicans in 1979, becoming Chairman in 1992. Don served on the board of Growth Works, Easter Seals, and Presbyterian Village.

Don is predeceased by his son, Donald M. Morgan (“Donny”) and survived by his wife, Judy Munro Morgan, daughter Wendy Morgan Crowther, and son-in-law Marty Crowther, Donny’s ex-wife, Ann Morgan Belyk, her husband Nick Belyk, and grandchildren Brady Morgan, and Abbie Belyk, and granddaughters Makayla Morgan (daughter of Amanda Parrish Hunley), and Julia and Cece Crowther.

Judy was the love of his life, but he also loved being a lawyer, reading, all things history, playing golf, summer and winter sports in Harbor Springs, music, and telling long long stories to anyone who would listen, until a stroke took his speech in 2015.

Don was a lawyer his whole adult life and loved it, working first as a partner at Kerr Russell & Weber in Detroit, briefly at Draugelis & Ashton, in Plymouth and finally on his own on Main Street. He received numerous professional honors and accolades, but will best be remembered as a devoted husband, (Grand) “Poohbah” to his grandchildren, and a leader in his church and community.

A Memorial Service will be held on September 18, 2021 at First Presbyterian Church of Plymouth, 701 Church Street, Plymouth at 11:00 A.M. followed by a luncheon at the Inn at St. John’s, 44045 Five Mile Road in Plymouth.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in remembrance of Don’s life be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Plymouth, 701 Church Street, Plymouth, Michigan 48170, Hope Clinic, P.O. Box 980311, Ypsilanti, Michigan 48198, or to a charity of your choice.