Elridge Paul Morgan, Jr

Elridge Paul Morgan Jr. (Butch) was born March 19, 1955, in St. Louis, MO, to the union of Elridge Paul Morgan Sr. and Agnes Louise Morgan. Our beloved Butch transitioned peacefully from this life to eternal life on October 21, 2021, in Seattle, WA; he was 66 years old.

Butch spent the early years of his life in St. Louis with his mother Agnes, where he attended grade school. He often told us stories of him and his childhood friends being "helpers" to the construction crew building the St. Louis Arch. He was the eldest of 12 children and was an incredible big brother who took his responsibility as a protector and role model within his family to heart from a young age!

As a preteen, he relocated with his father Elridge Sr./Lena (James) to Sumter SC, then eventually to Killeen, TX. Butch graduated from Killeen High School in 1973 and in that same year, following in the footsteps of his father, began his military career by enlisting in the United States Air Force. During his service, he was able to hone his natural ability to repair things: electronics, automobiles, etc. Butch could fix anything! He received an Honorable Discharge in 1975 and returned to Killeen. We thank you, Sgt. Elridge Paul Morgan, Jr., for your service.

Butch moved to beautiful Seattle, WA joining his mother Agnes, and quickly fell in love with the Pacific Northwest; Seattle became his home. Soon after, in 1981, Butch met and fell in love with his "Barbie" Barbara A. Wade; they were married by her Father, Elder James Wade, Sr., of Los Angeles, CA. They celebrated 40 years of love and marriage this year.

Using the skills he learned from his Dad and further refined in the Air Force, Butch became the go-to computer builder and repairman for many in the Seattle area. He was an early adopter of computer technology and an advocate for providing access to his family and people within his community, who may not have had access otherwise. He eventually opened his own business - Morgan's Computer Repair.

Over the years, Butch worked in a variety of jobs, most of them in service to others. This included First Hill Villa Care Center and a Tech firm, where he traveled the country implementing and repairing mainframe computer systems. He went on to work in management at the MLK Apartments located in the Rainier Valley, where he was instrumental in transforming this underserved community into a safe, livable neighborhood. While there, he established and ran one of the first Community Computer Labs in the Seattle area. He provided the community with access to technology and resources, building computer literacy and transferable skills. For this exceptional accomplishment, Butch was honored by a visit and presentation from Vice President Al Gore. What a proud moment for such a humble man!

Butch was a lead teacher at the Ark of Love Daycare in Central Seattle, where he continued to impact the lives of children as one of the very few African-American males working in early education. He was also a lead teacher of the After School Program and the Director of the state-of-the-art computer lab at Toddler Tech Child Care Center, serving a majority BIPOC population of children. Most recently, he was the Guard House Security Officer at the Seattle Tennis Club, where his warmth and sense of humor made him a favorite among both members and colleagues.

Butch loved spending time with family - barbecues, reunions, and holiday gatherings meant the world to him. He delighted in spending time with his children, nephews, and nieces, dropping nuggets of wisdom and other times leaving them laughing uncontrollably! Affectionately known to many as "Uncle Butch," he became a Community Uncle. His love, support, and encouragement were far-reaching, extending beyond his family into a community in need of positive, black male figures. He was a walking, talking example of "each one, reach one and teach one" - he reached and taught MANY!

Butch was a member of Tolliver Temple Church of God in Christ – invited by his best friend and brother-in-law, James Wade, Jr. "Sonny," he and Barb quickly knew, with God's guidance, that Tolliver Temple would become their church home.

Elridge "Butch" was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Elbert Wooten/Lillian Woods; his paternal grandparents, US Morgan/Mussette Morgan; his mother, Agnes Caldwell, his father, Elridge Morgan Sr./Lena (James) Morgan, and his infant daughter, Rhonda Harris.

Elridge is survived by his exceptionally devoted and loving wife of 40 years, (his Barbie) Barbara A. Morgan, daughter (his Beautiful) Helen Sims, son (his Blue) Jason Morgan Sr. (Niesha), his daughters, Ann Samuel (Lonnie), Angelia "DeeDee" Chatman (Anthony), Shonda Harris and son Darnell Harris (Ebony); 23 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren; his adoring sisters Brenda States (Michael), Paulette Rivers (Joe), Angela Green (Myron) and Tracey Delgardo (Robert); his beloved brothers Minkah Ali (Nialah), Dwayne Morgan, Rodney Morgan (Alicia), Everett James (Patricia), Genie James, Alonzo James (Trenia) and Anthony "Tony" Morgan, along with his many loving in-laws, nephews, nieces, cousins, family-by-choice and friends. We will continue to honor his legacy by living our lives to the fullest!