COLUMBUS — James Ronnie Morgan, 69, of Tazewell, Ga., passed away on Friday, Sept. 14, 2018, at Piedmont Columbus Regional Hospital in Columbus, Ga. Funeral services were held at 1 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 17, 2018, at Tazewell United Methodist Church with the Rev. Joy Wilson and the Rev. Bill Harris officiating. Burial followed the service at Tazewell Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers were Mark Zirbel, Joey Wells, Danny Layfield, Jerry Nelson, Bobby Bryan, Flem Smith, and Curt Welch. The family received friends from 6-8 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, at the funeral home.

Mr. Morgan was born May 8, 1949, in Columbus, Ga., to James Landrum and Maxie Dicie Wells Morgan. He lived in Marion County most of his life. He loved his family and he loved serving and helping his fellow man any way possible. Mr. Morgan was a Christian and an active member of the Tazewell United Methodist Church. He was a local business owner, establishing Morgan Grocery in Tazewell approximately 35 years ago. Mr. Morgan was in the Army National Guard and served during the time of the Vietnam War. He served 16 years as a Marion County Commissioner and 12 of those years he was the chairman of Commissioners. Mr. Morgan served on the Middle Flint E-911 Authority and “Whose Service and Dedication Played a Major Role in Bringing Us From Yesterday’s Dream to Today’s Reality.” He also served on Flint Energies Board of Directors. He was preceded in death by his father, James Landrum Morgan, his mother Maxie Dicie Wells Morgan, and a number of uncles, aunts, nephews, and cousins.

He is survived by his wife, Linda Layfield Gilmore Morgan of Tazewell, Ga.; two daughters, Rachel Morgan Zimprich and Kelly of Colorado Springs, Colo., and Rebecca Morgan Goare and Mitch of Columbus, Ga.; a son, James Clayton Morgan and Julie of Athens, Ala.; three stepchildren, Chris Gilmore of Newnan, Ga., Scott Gilmore of Tampa, Fla., and Tammy Gilmore of Tazewell, Ga.; his stepmother, Willa Dean Morgan of Athens, Ala.; three sisters, Sharon Zirbel and Mark, Susan Clem, and Donna Miller; two aunts, Peggy King of Fayetteville, Ga., and Betty Jean Abell of Fitzgerald, Ga.; grandchildren, Morgan Zimprich Coughlan and Steven of Grand Saline, Texas, Grace Morgan Ennis and Andrew of Athens, Ala., Tyler Zimprich and Gina of Colorado Springs, Colo., Kate Morgan of Athens, Ala., Molly Goare of Columbus, Ga., Arlin Gilmore of Newnan, Ga., Mitchell Goare of Columbus, Ga., Sarah James Morgan, Elle Morgan, and Madison Zimprich; great-grandchildren, Lillie Coughlan, Hunter Coughlan, Micah Ennis, and Juliet Zimprich.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made to Tazewell United Methodist Church.

Please visit www.watsontantefuneralhome.com to sign the online guest register.

Watson-Tante Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements