John Robert”Bobby” Morgan, age 85, of Emmalena, KY, died Saturday, April 1, 2023, at St. Joseph East Hospital in Lexington, KY.
He was born at Hazard, KY on June 24, 1937 to Oscar Alexander Morgan and Nannie Jones Morgan.
John Robert Morgan attended elementary school at Emmalena, KY, and graduated from Hindman High School as Valedictorian of his class in 1955. Bobby attended Alice Lloyd College, graduated from the University of KY in 1959 with a B.A. Degree and from University of KY College of Law in 1961. He was admitted to practice Law in September of 1961. Bobby entered private practice in Hindman in 1961 and was elected County Attorney of Knott County in 1965, an office he held for 12 years. He was twice elected District Judge for the Thirty-Sixth Judicial District and held this office until 1983,when he was elected Circuit Judge for the Thirty-Sixth Judicial Circuit, a position he held until he retired in 2004, after a serious car accident.
Bobby served, for many years, as pianist and Deacon at the First Baptist Church of Hindman. He was active in community affairs and served as President of the Knott County Development Association, Chairman and Executive Committee Member of L.K.L.P. Community Action Council, as Board member of the KY River Area Development District and a member of the KY River Health Council and Crime Council. He served on the Knott County Housing Commission and did the legal work for the first Public Housing Units in Hindman and Caney. He also did legal work for the application for the Knott County Swimming Pool. He was Chairman of the Knott County Comprehensive Health Council which was applicant for the funds to construct the June Buchanan Clinic.
Survived by:
Wife – Ollie Morgan
Sons -John Robert Morgan, Jr., Jeffrey Reed (Sherry) Morgan, Justin Ross Morgan and Jeremy
Rhodes (Rochella) Morgan
Grandchildren -Jordan Reed Morgan, Rebecca (Austin) Miller,Jade Alexandra Morgan, Katherine Morgan, Jonathan Morgan, Sarah Morgan, Rachel Morgan, Jackson Morgan,Jacob Morgan, Lilly Morgan
Host of Nieces and Nephews
Preceded in death by Parents – Oscar and Nannie Morgan
Sister – Wilma Morgan (Samuel) Gayhart
Funeral services for John Robert “Bobby” Morgan will be held at Hindman Funeral Services Chapel, Thursday, April 13, 2023, at 1:00PM with Mike Caudill and Roy Hodson officiating. Burial will follow at the Combs-Morgan Cemetery at Emmalena, KY.
Arrangements by Hindman Funeral Services, Hindman, KY.
