Russell G Morgan

Russell Gray Morgan, age 56, passed away peacefully on October 11, 2024, at Denver Hospice Center, Denver, Colorado of glioblastoma brain cancer which he had been battling for two years. He was born July 16, 1968, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Russ attended Interlochen Arts Academy in Traverse City, Michigan and graduated from United Township High School in East Moline, Illinois.

After high school, he spent two years as trombone player in his late grandfather’s orchestra (The Russ Morgan Orchestra) which was led by his father, Jack Morgan. In 1989 he enlisted in the United States Army where he remained for 20 years until he retired in 2009. During that time, Russ worked 10 years as an Army Band Member and 10 years as an IT Specialist. He then became a private computer contractor for the US Army in Seoul Korea and Japan before coming back stateside and in 2018 becoming IT Specialist and System Administrator for the United States Air Force at Buckley Air Force Base in Denver.

In 1992, while stationed in Japan, he met and married his wife of 32 years Motoko Matsukura. 

Russell was dedicated to all hobbies he found interest in. While in high school he won the prestigious Louis Armstrong Music Award for trombone excellence. Through his adult years he became an avid body builder and won numerous awards in both Japan and Colorado. He loved working out in the local gym and built his own personal gym in his home. He loved movies and built a home theater with hundreds of movies along with his collection of Star Trek memorabilia. And if that wasn't enough to keep one man busy, three years ago he went back to school and became a certified welder! A very devoted man to his hobbies and his family.

Russell is preceded in death by his mother, Linda Warholak

Russell is survived by his wife Motoko, son Kai (wife Suzuno); daughter Leah; father Jack; stepmother Bonnie; sister Jackie (Keith Lorman); brother Tom (Kori); In-Laws Susumu & Michiko Matsukura: sister-in-law Akane Matsukura and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephew. There will be a Military Burial for Russell at 1:00 pm on December 16th at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Denver, Colorado.