Services for Ernest "Ernie" Wilmer Morgan Jr., 75, of Thomasville, are at 10 a.m., Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2009, at First Baptist Church sanctuary. The Rev. Dr. Milton C. Gardner and the Rev. Dr. Dan Spencer will officiate and interment is in Laurel Hill Cemetery. Pallbearers are Ben Force, Jim Hathaway, Mickey Cooper, Jimmy Clanton, Max Hancock, Don Pfister, Jerry Studdard and Wiley Grady. Honorary pallbearers are Milton Callaway, Bill Lawson, Gene Autry, Charlie Beane, Bobby Jefferson, Dan Bain, Bill Norwood, Cliff Campbell, Len Powell, all who served with Ernie on the Thomasville City School Board, and the former livestock marketing co-workers. Mr. Morgan died Sunday, Jan. 25 at Archbold Memorial Hospital. Born January 24, 1934, in Americus, he was the son of the late Ernest W., Sr. and Catherine Carter Morgan. On Sept. 1, 1957, he married Jean Wall Morgan, who survives. He attended school in Americus and graduated from the University of Georgia in 1959. He achieved the level of Eagle Scout while in high school, the first one in Sumter County. He served as a Naval Aviator from 1953 until 1956 during the Korean Conflict. He began a long career with the United States Department of Agriculture in 1960 and retired in 1997. During his service with the Federal Government, he received several national awards from the USDA, Future Farmers of America, the National Livestock Association and the Georgia Pork Producers Association. He also received recognition for developing a lean pork standard which has now been adopted internationally. Mr. Morgan served on the school board of Thomasville City Schools for 12 years; two of which were as chairman. In addition, he served as the president of the Thomasville High School Touchdown Club and was an avid fan of the Thomasville High School Bulldogs and the UGA Bulldogs. He was a past President to the Thomasville Jaycees, receiving a lifetime membership award for his dedicated service, as well as being honored as outstanding Jaycee of the year. Most recently, he served as volunteer with the Archbold Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, helping initiate the courtesy shuttle. Other survivors include children, Debra Morgan Bennett and spouse Jimmy Bennett, Tracie Wall Morgan, Gregory Scott Morgan and spouse, Carrie Morgan, Paige Morgan Milberg and spouse, Scott Milberg, all of Thomasville; grandchildren, Taylor Jacobsen Froede and spouse, Florian Froede, Thomas Morgan Pfister, Joshua Robert Bennett, Anslee Elizabeth Mathews, Sydney Elizabeth Morgan, Madison Alexandra Morgan, Zachery Asher Milberg; great-grandchild, Lukas Alexander Froede; sisters and brothers-in-law, Peggy White and spouse, Billy White, Catherine Bell and spouse Leland Bell all of Birmingham, Ala., Lucy Harris and spouse, Ben Harris of Lilburn; brother and sister-in-law, John and Bonnie Morgan of Americus; numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a sister, Patricia Morgan; nieces, Leigh Bell and Melanie Bell; nephews, David White and George Davenport. Memorials may be made to the Thomas County Food Bank, P.O. Box 2422, Thomasville, Ga. 31799, Archbold Foundation, for the new Oncology Center, Gordon Avenue at Mimosa Drive, Thomasville, Ga. 31792 or to First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 2790, Thomasville, Ga. 31799. Family and friends may sign the online guest register at www.allenfh.com. - Allen & Allen Funeral Home