James Owen "Jim" Morgan
May 28, 1949 — March 19, 2024
Harlan
James Owen "Jim" Morgan, 74, of Harlan passed away suddenly on Tuesday morning of March 19, 2024.
He was born in Harlan, Kentucky on May 28, 1949. He was a graduate of Cawood High School, and attended Southeast Community College. He was a resident of Harlan County his entire life, where he spent more than 50 years as a public servant, keeping the community informed through his broadcasting work at WHLN, Radio Harlan, where he retired in 2019 as President. Jim and his late father won the prestigious Peabody Broadcasting Award for their tireless coverage of the 1977 floods that ravaged their beloved Harlan County. Jim had a passion for his community, family, and church, and he was a car enthusiast from a young age. He was an elder at the Harlan Christian Church, where he served in numerous leadership positions. He also served on the Board of Directors of Harlan Community Television.
Jim was proceeded in death by his parents, Jim and Dorothy Morgan, and his sister, Lynne Millam.
He is survived by his wife, Marybelle, of Harlan, Kentucky, two daughters, Margaret (Michael) Bonko of Groveland, Florida and Meredith (Mat) Slechter of LaGrange, Kentucky, a son, Sean (Mindi) Kirklin of Cincinnati, Ohio, and five grandchildren, Kenton, Luke, Logan, Madelyn, and Laurel.
Visitation will be Sunday (March 24) from 3:30 pm to 5:00 pm at the Harlan Christian Church, 130 South 1st Street, Harlan, KY 40831 with a Celebration of Life to follow at 5:00 pm. Honorary pallbearers are elders of the Harlan Christian Church and fellow board members of Harlan Community Television. Private Burial will be Monday (March 25) at the Resthaven Cemetery at Keith, KY.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Harlan Christian Church, Brayden S. Morris Scholarship Fund, 130 South 1st Street, Harlan, KY 40831 or to one's favorite charity.
Please feel free to leave a memory or condolence at www.aljfh.com.
Anderson-Laws & Jones Funeral Home is honored to be serving the family of James O. Morgan.