Oakland Cemetery

Madill, Marshall County, Oklahoma

© Watt's Funeral Service
Submitted by: Terry Dudley

Max Barton Morgan

August 9, 1940 - February 3, 2025

Max Barton Morgan was born on August 9, 1940, in Shay, Oklahoma to Ellis and Dezzie Morgan. Max grew up in Madill, Oklahoma where he graduated from Madill High School in the class of 1958. Max met the love of his life, Barbara, in 1961 in Canadian, Texas and were married on May 11, 1963, amid the blare of tornado sirens.

When Max was in junior high, he'd wake p at 5:00 AM to deliver newspapers on his bicycle for the Daily Ardmoreite. As he entered high school, he needed a car to work for the Madill Record, so he borrowed $27 to purchase his first vehicle. Max worked at the Madill Record throughout his high school years.

After graduating, Max began working for Western Geophysical, assisting on a drilling rig. In 1965, he and Barbara welcomed their first son, Jody, followed by their second son, Kelly, in 1967 - both born in Shattuck, Oklahoma. Over the years, Max's work took the family across the country, with stops in Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, Ohio, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah, and Wyoming to name a few.

In 1972, Max founded Morgan Drilling Company in Cadillac, Michigan, working with Shell Oil Company. After enduring five harsh Michigan winters, the party manager informed him they needed his expertise in Post, Texas. Ready to get out of the snow, Max asked if he even needed to finish the hole he was currently drilling - he was ready to head south.

By 1977, Max had moved his family to Ardmore, Oklahoma. As his sons grew up and became involved in sports, Max never missed a practice or game, no matter how busy he was. Family was everything to him. He cherished time spent with his sons and eight grandchildren, enjoying activities like riding four-wheelers, golf carts, backhoes, and more. Max also had a passion for riding motorcycles, attending car shows, and cruising the coast with Barbara.

Though he attempted to retire several times, Max always found himself lending a hand to Jody whenever needed. In his later years, he especially enjoyed visiting job sites to supervise and support his son's work. Max was an active member of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Ardmore, faithfully reading his Bible every night. His greatest joy in life was simply being with his family.

Max was preceded in death by his wife Barbara Morgan, parents Ellis and Dezzie Morgan, and brother Dale Morgan. Those left to cherish his memory are his son, Jody Morgan and wife Dana of Lone Grove, Oklahoma; son, Kelly Morgan and wife Tonja of Denton, Texas; grandchildren, Landon Morgan, Lauren Morgan, Lane Morgan and wife Jordan, Micah Batton and husband Trevor, Justus Morgan and wife Carlen, Aarin Nelson and husband Aaron, Faith Wallace and husband Cole, Isaac Morgan and wife Julia; great-grandchildren, Miles Morgan, Leon Morgan, Brooklynn Batton, Dezzie Batton, Shepherd Nelson, and foster great-grandson West.

Casket bearers are Landon Morgan, Lane Morgan, Justus Morgan, Isaac Morgan, Trevor Batton, Aaron Nelson and Cole Wallace. Honorary bearers are Jason Morgan, Jathan Cantu, Lee Ross and Scotty Ross.

Memorials may be made to the Ardmore Animal Shelter, 321 Carol Brown Blvd., Ardmore, Oklahoma 73401 or St. Jude Children's Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Funeral Service Friday, February 7, 2025 10:00 A.M. Emmanuel Baptist Church 120 Veterans Blvd. Ardmore, OK 73401

Interment Friday, February 7, 2025 Oakland Cemetery 221 W. Highway 70 Madill, OK 73446