Edward Kent Morgan was born January 14, 1924, the fifth child of Hardy and Bessie Pearl Andrus Morgan, in Lamesa, Texas. He continued the progressive and hospitable traditions of a strong West Texas pioneer family.Kent arrived in Howard County at the out break of World War II to look after his father's sheep and cattle. He has lived in the county ever since except for a short period while serving in the United States Navy.Kent and his father had 15,000 sheep, the largest flock ever raised in Howard County. Following the war, Morgan Brothers was formed consisting of a partnership between John Hardy, Lloyd and Kent. They operated ranches in Howard, Andrews, Dawson and Hamilton counties consisting of 126 sections.Kent also built the Ponderosa Apartments and the Ponderosa Motel in 1963 and built the Highland Shopping Center in 1965. He built and operated the Ponderosa Moter Inns in Alpine and Temple and Ruidoso, New Mexico from 1961 to 1970.He married Faye Fisher in 1942. They had two children, Emmett Kent and Katie Bess. Kent married Jan Livingston Weaver in 1972. She preceded him in death on November 21, 2002.He made his home southeast of Big Spring on the Morgan Ranch.Kent was a past president of the Big Spring Country Club and served on the board of directors of Security State Bank.He was a member of First Presbyterian Church.Survivors include one son, Emmett Kent Morgan of Vista, California; one daughter & son-in-law, Katie Bess and Franklin Williamson of Kerrville; four grandchildren, Kimberly Dunbar of Rocksprings, Rachel Hall of Nashville, Tennesee, J. B. Morgan and Dylan Morgan both of Vista, California; 12 great grandchildren; and one sister, Maurine Morgan Vaughn of Lamesa.He was preceded in death by three brothers, John Hardy Morgan, Paul Morgan and Lloyd Morgan.Memorial services will be held at 10:00 AM Tuesday, June 14, 2005, at the First Presbyterian Church with Rev. Matt Miles, pastor, officiating.The family suggests memorials to: Cal Farley's Boys Ranch, P. O. Box 1890, Amarillo, Texas 79174-0001 or the Heritage Museum, 510 Scurry, Big Spring, Texas 79720.Arrangements under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Big Spring. Online condolences can be made at: www.npwelch.com,
