David Emerson Morgan
David Emerson Morgan, faithful servant of the Lord, entered his eternal home in heaven on Jan. 8 at the age of 73, leaving behind a legacy of faith and abiding love for family.
Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on September 15, 1952, to Emerson and Mary Morgan, Dave graduated from Maple Heights Senior High School in 1970 before attending the University of Akron. In 1974 he completed his degree in mechanical engineering and was a distinguished graduate from the Air Force ROTC program.
After completing pilot training, he was assigned to Carswell Air Force Base in Fort Worth, Texas, where he became a B-52 pilot with the 20th Bombardment Squadron 7th Bomb Wing. There he completed Squadron Officers School and earned an MBA from Texas Christian University.
During subsequent years, he fulfilled assignments at bases in Ohio, Alabama, and Michigan, working in the B-1 program office, attending Air Command and Staff College, flying B-52s with the 644th Bombardment Squadron 410th Bomb Wing, and serving as a flight commander and instructor pilot.
In 1990, he accepted his final military career assignment at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio, where he later joined the Air Combat Command as the branch chief for the B-2 stealth bomber’s weapon system. He retired from the Air Force in 1998 after more than 22 years of service. During his next chapter, he embarked on an 11-year career first as a commuter jet pilot with Delta’s Comair and then as a contractor for the Air Force before officially retiring in 2015.
Dave was a devoted husband to Christine (nee Hartzell), the sunshine of his life, with whom he shared 49 beautiful years of marriage that modeled enduring commitment and unwavering love. Their first date on Mother’s Day 1974 at the Brown Derby had a comical start (involving a lobster that flew off Chris’ plate and onto the floor) but Dave was unfazed, and their courtship culminated with their marriage in 1976. As a father, Dave was a pillar of strength, guiding his children with unconditional love and biblical wisdom. His greatest delight was spending time with his loved ones. He treasured moments together at the beach (building sand castles and wave surfing), on a tennis court (stopping for donuts afterward), at Reds or Indians baseball games (collecting those bobbleheads), in ice cream shops (hunting for pistachio), or on long walks (especially with the “grand-dogs”). In addition to flying planes, he also enjoyed creating model railroad villages, swimming laps, participating in 5Ks and triathlons, rooting for the Cleveland Browns, playing chess, rocking grandbabies, and building Legos with the family.
Though we who are left behind grieve deeply this loss, we do not grieve as those who have no hope, for we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and thus we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in Him (1 Thessalonians 4:13-14). Dave dedicated his life to the Lord at an Officers’ Christian Fellowship camp. In the years that followed, he lived out his faith through service to his country and community and his commitment to his family. He served in his local church as a deacon, Sunday school teacher, volunteer financial counselor, and Boy Scout leader. He touched the lives of many with his sense of humor, infectious laugh, genuine warmth, encouraging words, and empathetic heart. During his yearslong battle with Alzheimer’s (which he humorously referred to as his graceful degradation), he modeled courage and strength, embracing each additional day of clarity as a treasured gift. Dave fought the good fight, he finished the race, and he kept the faith (2 Timothy 4:7). May his memory inspire us all to do the same.
David was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Carole Cerny, and his father- and mother-in-law Warren and June Hartzell.
In addition to his beloved wife Christine, he is survived by his children Kristin (Jarrett) Chapman, Kathryn (Matthew) Campbell, and Michael Morgan; as well as his seven grandchildren Grace, Caleb, Isaac, Miles, Owen, Knox, and Oliver, all of whom he loved deeply. He is also survived by his brothers- and sisters-in-law William and Loretta Hartzell, Richard and Marieke Hartzell, and Edward Cerny, as well as his nephew Steve (Kelley) Cerny, his niece Karen (Jerry) Mullett, great-niece Morgan, and great-nephew Trenton.
The graveside service, officiated by Pastor Josh Martin of Palmetto Hills Presbyterian Church, will be held on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at 2 p.m. at MJ Dolly Cooper Veterans Cemetery, 140 Inway Drive, Anderson, SC. Full military honors will be given by the United States Air Force.
Visitation and a service celebrating his life will be held on Saturday, January 17 at Palmetto Hills Presbyterian Church, 2147 East Georgia Road, Simpsonville, S.C. Visitation will be at 10 a.m. with a service to follow at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Family Hospice of Greenville and Veteran’s Last Patrol.
