Kile Morgan, the "Father of Modem National City," passed peacefully on Thursday, April 9, 2009, surrounded by his family in his National City home.
Kile was called by the Lord and now joins his wife, Donna Wilcox Morgan in Heaven.
Kile was born on March 22, 1920, in Tennessee, fourth of eight children. In 1937, he left the Midwest for a better life in California.
From a sharecropper's son, to a helper at Rohr, to a crane operator, to a real estate contractor, to a politician, Kile was always able to look toward the future and better his life as well as the lives of those around him.
Loyally serving National City for 26 years, Kile was very much loved throughout the community, which is a rarity in politics. He will be remembered for his generousity and unconditional love for both his family and National City.
Papa (as known to his family) will be missed by all. Kile is survived by a brother, George Morgan; sons, Kile Morgan Jr. and Robert; daughters, Janice Hawken and Deloris Williams, seven grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren.
Friends and family are invited to Kile's Viewing at Heath Funeral Home, 611 Highland Ave., on Thursday, April 16th, 2-8 p.m. His Service will be at One in Christ Church, 635 7th Street at 10 a.m. Friday, April 17th.
A Reception will follow at Granger Hall on 4th and Palm to celebrate Kile's life. Donations may be made in memory of Kile to the SUHI Foundation which benefits Sweetwater High School and National City youth, 2900 Highland Avenue, National City.
Published by San Diego Union-Tribune on Apr. 15, 2009.
****************************
Kile Morgan, a five-term National City mayor instrumental in developing the Mile of Cars, died late Thursday. He was 89.
Mr. Morgan had been in hospice care after recently suffering from congestive heart failure, said his son Kile Morgan Jr. He died surrounded by his family at his longtime National City home.
Mr. Morgan served on the City Council from 1960-66, then as mayor for 20 years. After retiring from public life in 1986, he continued to volunteer his time with community groups and organizations, including the Chamber of Commerce and the Boys & Girls Club of National City. He also was a big supporter of Little League and girls softball.
"We were his family, but he had a much broader family in the residents of National City," Kile Morgan Jr. said. "He particularly cared about the kids. That's his legacy."
Mayor Ron Morrison said Mr. Morgan was his role model and mentor, whom he often went to for constructive advice.
"He was very much loved throughout the community, which is a rarity in politics," Morrison said. "He stayed active. He wasn't a power broker, but if he was needed, he was available. He was a real class act."
Mr. Morgan's son said that after years of hard work and planning, his father left the city in 1986 with the healthiest tax base it had ever had. He said his father helped create the Mile of Cars, a natural evolution of a business that sprang up after World War II, when soldiers shipping out at the nearby naval base sold their cars in National City.
"He was smart enough to figure it out, that sales tax is a big part of city revenue," Kile Morgan Jr. said. "National City was a poor city. They were able to fund a lot of things they needed to with that revenue."
Morrison said people laughed at Mr. Morgan for taking the car dealers spread throughout the city and moving them to one area.
"They said: 'Cars? Big deal,' " Morrison said. "Now, everyone wants a Mile of Cars."
Allie Pruitt, a friend and former director of the local Boys & Girls Club, said that without Mr. Morgan's ability to look toward the future, National City would be in critical financial condition.
"Cities who don't have the amenities we have are suffering greatly," Pruitt said. "He had an amazing mind and a capacity for understanding what this city needed. I'm just so sad. He left a large footprint in our town."
During his tenure, Mr. Morgan helped bring the city what is now the Plaza Bonita shopping center, the South Bay's first mall, and built the first industrial redevelopment park and two high-rise senior housing buildings – the Morgan and Kimball towers. The city paid for the second tower with cash.
Under his tenure, the city bought out the liquor licenses of 22 bars and liquor stores near the site of the $24 million Education Village, in the heart of downtown National City.
Mr. Morgan was on hand in September when a bust of him was unveiled at Morgan Square, at National City Boulevard and East Ninth Street.
"If you consider Frank Kimball the founding father of National City, I would say that Morgan was the father of modern National City," Morrison said.
Mr. Morgan was born March 22, 1920, in Tennessee, the son of sharecroppers. He moved to Northern California in 1937, and wartime jobs brought him to National City.
With only an eighth-grade education, he worked for Rohr Aircraft, then Concrete Ships. He also bought and sold cars. By the 1950s, he had moved into real estate. At age 39, he was was asked by friends to run for City Council.
Besides son Kile Morgan Jr., Mr. Morgan is survived by a brother, George Morgan; son Robert Morgan; daughters Janice Hawken and Dolores Williams; seven grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.
Services are set for 10 a.m. Friday at One in Christ Church, 635 E. Seventh St. A reception will follow.
Janine Zuniga: (619) 498-6636; [email protected]
Kile was called by the Lord and now joins his wife, Donna Wilcox Morgan in Heaven.
Kile was born on March 22, 1920, in Tennessee, fourth of eight children. In 1937, he left the Midwest for a better life in California.
From a sharecropper's son, to a helper at Rohr, to a crane operator, to a real estate contractor, to a politician, Kile was always able to look toward the future and better his life as well as the lives of those around him.
Loyally serving National City for 26 years, Kile was very much loved throughout the community, which is a rarity in politics. He will be remembered for his generousity and unconditional love for both his family and National City.
Papa (as known to his family) will be missed by all. Kile is survived by a brother, George Morgan; sons, Kile Morgan Jr. and Robert; daughters, Janice Hawken and Deloris Williams, seven grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren.
Friends and family are invited to Kile's Viewing at Heath Funeral Home, 611 Highland Ave., on Thursday, April 16th, 2-8 p.m. His Service will be at One in Christ Church, 635 7th Street at 10 a.m. Friday, April 17th.
A Reception will follow at Granger Hall on 4th and Palm to celebrate Kile's life. Donations may be made in memory of Kile to the SUHI Foundation which benefits Sweetwater High School and National City youth, 2900 Highland Avenue, National City.
Published by San Diego Union-Tribune on Apr. 15, 2009.
****************************
Kile Morgan, a five-term National City mayor instrumental in developing the Mile of Cars, died late Thursday. He was 89.
Mr. Morgan had been in hospice care after recently suffering from congestive heart failure, said his son Kile Morgan Jr. He died surrounded by his family at his longtime National City home.
Mr. Morgan served on the City Council from 1960-66, then as mayor for 20 years. After retiring from public life in 1986, he continued to volunteer his time with community groups and organizations, including the Chamber of Commerce and the Boys & Girls Club of National City. He also was a big supporter of Little League and girls softball.
"We were his family, but he had a much broader family in the residents of National City," Kile Morgan Jr. said. "He particularly cared about the kids. That's his legacy."
Mayor Ron Morrison said Mr. Morgan was his role model and mentor, whom he often went to for constructive advice.
"He was very much loved throughout the community, which is a rarity in politics," Morrison said. "He stayed active. He wasn't a power broker, but if he was needed, he was available. He was a real class act."
Mr. Morgan's son said that after years of hard work and planning, his father left the city in 1986 with the healthiest tax base it had ever had. He said his father helped create the Mile of Cars, a natural evolution of a business that sprang up after World War II, when soldiers shipping out at the nearby naval base sold their cars in National City.
"He was smart enough to figure it out, that sales tax is a big part of city revenue," Kile Morgan Jr. said. "National City was a poor city. They were able to fund a lot of things they needed to with that revenue."
Morrison said people laughed at Mr. Morgan for taking the car dealers spread throughout the city and moving them to one area.
"They said: 'Cars? Big deal,' " Morrison said. "Now, everyone wants a Mile of Cars."
Allie Pruitt, a friend and former director of the local Boys & Girls Club, said that without Mr. Morgan's ability to look toward the future, National City would be in critical financial condition.
"Cities who don't have the amenities we have are suffering greatly," Pruitt said. "He had an amazing mind and a capacity for understanding what this city needed. I'm just so sad. He left a large footprint in our town."
During his tenure, Mr. Morgan helped bring the city what is now the Plaza Bonita shopping center, the South Bay's first mall, and built the first industrial redevelopment park and two high-rise senior housing buildings – the Morgan and Kimball towers. The city paid for the second tower with cash.
Under his tenure, the city bought out the liquor licenses of 22 bars and liquor stores near the site of the $24 million Education Village, in the heart of downtown National City.
Mr. Morgan was on hand in September when a bust of him was unveiled at Morgan Square, at National City Boulevard and East Ninth Street.
"If you consider Frank Kimball the founding father of National City, I would say that Morgan was the father of modern National City," Morrison said.
Mr. Morgan was born March 22, 1920, in Tennessee, the son of sharecroppers. He moved to Northern California in 1937, and wartime jobs brought him to National City.
With only an eighth-grade education, he worked for Rohr Aircraft, then Concrete Ships. He also bought and sold cars. By the 1950s, he had moved into real estate. At age 39, he was was asked by friends to run for City Council.
Besides son Kile Morgan Jr., Mr. Morgan is survived by a brother, George Morgan; son Robert Morgan; daughters Janice Hawken and Dolores Williams; seven grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.
Services are set for 10 a.m. Friday at One in Christ Church, 635 E. Seventh St. A reception will follow.
Janine Zuniga: (619) 498-6636; [email protected]
Kile Morgan, the "Father of Modem National City," passed peacefully on Thursday, April 9, 2009, surrounded by his family in his National City home.
Kile was called by the Lord and now joins his wife, Donna Wilcox Morgan in Heaven.
Kile was born on March 22, 1920, in Tennessee, fourth of eight children. In 1937, he left the Midwest for a better life in California.
From a sharecropper's son, to a helper at Rohr, to a crane operator, to a real estate contractor, to a politician, Kile was always able to look toward the future and better his life as well as the lives of those around him.
Loyally serving National City for 26 years, Kile was very much loved throughout the community, which is a rarity in politics. He will be remembered for his generousity and unconditional love for both his family and National City.
Papa (as known to his family) will be missed by all. Kile is survived by a brother, George Morgan; sons, Kile Morgan Jr. and Robert; daughters, Janice Hawken and Deloris Williams, seven grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren.
Friends and family are invited to Kile's Viewing at Heath Funeral Home, 611 Highland Ave., on Thursday, April 16th, 2-8 p.m. His Service will be at One in Christ Church, 635 7th Street at 10 a.m. Friday, April 17th.
A Reception will follow at Granger Hall on 4th and Palm to celebrate Kile's life. Donations may be made in memory of Kile to the SUHI Foundation which benefits Sweetwater High School and National City youth, 2900 Highland Avenue, National City.
Published by San Diego Union-Tribune on Apr. 15, 2009.
****************************
Kile Morgan, a five-term National City mayor instrumental in developing the Mile of Cars, died late Thursday. He was 89.
Mr. Morgan had been in hospice care after recently suffering from congestive heart failure, said his son Kile Morgan Jr. He died surrounded by his family at his longtime National City home.
Mr. Morgan served on the City Council from 1960-66, then as mayor for 20 years. After retiring from public life in 1986, he continued to volunteer his time with community groups and organizations, including the Chamber of Commerce and the Boys & Girls Club of National City. He also was a big supporter of Little League and girls softball.
"We were his family, but he had a much broader family in the residents of National City," Kile Morgan Jr. said. "He particularly cared about the kids. That's his legacy."
Mayor Ron Morrison said Mr. Morgan was his role model and mentor, whom he often went to for constructive advice.
"He was very much loved throughout the community, which is a rarity in politics," Morrison said. "He stayed active. He wasn't a power broker, but if he was needed, he was available. He was a real class act."
Mr. Morgan's son said that after years of hard work and planning, his father left the city in 1986 with the healthiest tax base it had ever had. He said his father helped create the Mile of Cars, a natural evolution of a business that sprang up after World War II, when soldiers shipping out at the nearby naval base sold their cars in National City.
"He was smart enough to figure it out, that sales tax is a big part of city revenue," Kile Morgan Jr. said. "National City was a poor city. They were able to fund a lot of things they needed to with that revenue."
Morrison said people laughed at Mr. Morgan for taking the car dealers spread throughout the city and moving them to one area.
"They said: 'Cars? Big deal,' " Morrison said. "Now, everyone wants a Mile of Cars."
Allie Pruitt, a friend and former director of the local Boys & Girls Club, said that without Mr. Morgan's ability to look toward the future, National City would be in critical financial condition.
"Cities who don't have the amenities we have are suffering greatly," Pruitt said. "He had an amazing mind and a capacity for understanding what this city needed. I'm just so sad. He left a large footprint in our town."
During his tenure, Mr. Morgan helped bring the city what is now the Plaza Bonita shopping center, the South Bay's first mall, and built the first industrial redevelopment park and two high-rise senior housing buildings – the Morgan and Kimball towers. The city paid for the second tower with cash.
Under his tenure, the city bought out the liquor licenses of 22 bars and liquor stores near the site of the $24 million Education Village, in the heart of downtown National City.
Mr. Morgan was on hand in September when a bust of him was unveiled at Morgan Square, at National City Boulevard and East Ninth Street.
"If you consider Frank Kimball the founding father of National City, I would say that Morgan was the father of modern National City," Morrison said.
Mr. Morgan was born March 22, 1920, in Tennessee, the son of sharecroppers. He moved to Northern California in 1937, and wartime jobs brought him to National City.
With only an eighth-grade education, he worked for Rohr Aircraft, then Concrete Ships. He also bought and sold cars. By the 1950s, he had moved into real estate. At age 39, he was was asked by friends to run for City Council.
Besides son Kile Morgan Jr., Mr. Morgan is survived by a brother, George Morgan; son Robert Morgan; daughters Janice Hawken and Dolores Williams; seven grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.
Services are set for 10 a.m. Friday at One in Christ Church, 635 E. Seventh St. A reception will follow.
Janine Zuniga: (619) 498-6636; [email protected]
Kile was called by the Lord and now joins his wife, Donna Wilcox Morgan in Heaven.
Kile was born on March 22, 1920, in Tennessee, fourth of eight children. In 1937, he left the Midwest for a better life in California.
From a sharecropper's son, to a helper at Rohr, to a crane operator, to a real estate contractor, to a politician, Kile was always able to look toward the future and better his life as well as the lives of those around him.
Loyally serving National City for 26 years, Kile was very much loved throughout the community, which is a rarity in politics. He will be remembered for his generousity and unconditional love for both his family and National City.
Papa (as known to his family) will be missed by all. Kile is survived by a brother, George Morgan; sons, Kile Morgan Jr. and Robert; daughters, Janice Hawken and Deloris Williams, seven grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren.
Friends and family are invited to Kile's Viewing at Heath Funeral Home, 611 Highland Ave., on Thursday, April 16th, 2-8 p.m. His Service will be at One in Christ Church, 635 7th Street at 10 a.m. Friday, April 17th.
A Reception will follow at Granger Hall on 4th and Palm to celebrate Kile's life. Donations may be made in memory of Kile to the SUHI Foundation which benefits Sweetwater High School and National City youth, 2900 Highland Avenue, National City.
Published by San Diego Union-Tribune on Apr. 15, 2009.
****************************
Kile Morgan, a five-term National City mayor instrumental in developing the Mile of Cars, died late Thursday. He was 89.
Mr. Morgan had been in hospice care after recently suffering from congestive heart failure, said his son Kile Morgan Jr. He died surrounded by his family at his longtime National City home.
Mr. Morgan served on the City Council from 1960-66, then as mayor for 20 years. After retiring from public life in 1986, he continued to volunteer his time with community groups and organizations, including the Chamber of Commerce and the Boys & Girls Club of National City. He also was a big supporter of Little League and girls softball.
"We were his family, but he had a much broader family in the residents of National City," Kile Morgan Jr. said. "He particularly cared about the kids. That's his legacy."
Mayor Ron Morrison said Mr. Morgan was his role model and mentor, whom he often went to for constructive advice.
"He was very much loved throughout the community, which is a rarity in politics," Morrison said. "He stayed active. He wasn't a power broker, but if he was needed, he was available. He was a real class act."
Mr. Morgan's son said that after years of hard work and planning, his father left the city in 1986 with the healthiest tax base it had ever had. He said his father helped create the Mile of Cars, a natural evolution of a business that sprang up after World War II, when soldiers shipping out at the nearby naval base sold their cars in National City.
"He was smart enough to figure it out, that sales tax is a big part of city revenue," Kile Morgan Jr. said. "National City was a poor city. They were able to fund a lot of things they needed to with that revenue."
Morrison said people laughed at Mr. Morgan for taking the car dealers spread throughout the city and moving them to one area.
"They said: 'Cars? Big deal,' " Morrison said. "Now, everyone wants a Mile of Cars."
Allie Pruitt, a friend and former director of the local Boys & Girls Club, said that without Mr. Morgan's ability to look toward the future, National City would be in critical financial condition.
"Cities who don't have the amenities we have are suffering greatly," Pruitt said. "He had an amazing mind and a capacity for understanding what this city needed. I'm just so sad. He left a large footprint in our town."
During his tenure, Mr. Morgan helped bring the city what is now the Plaza Bonita shopping center, the South Bay's first mall, and built the first industrial redevelopment park and two high-rise senior housing buildings – the Morgan and Kimball towers. The city paid for the second tower with cash.
Under his tenure, the city bought out the liquor licenses of 22 bars and liquor stores near the site of the $24 million Education Village, in the heart of downtown National City.
Mr. Morgan was on hand in September when a bust of him was unveiled at Morgan Square, at National City Boulevard and East Ninth Street.
"If you consider Frank Kimball the founding father of National City, I would say that Morgan was the father of modern National City," Morrison said.
Mr. Morgan was born March 22, 1920, in Tennessee, the son of sharecroppers. He moved to Northern California in 1937, and wartime jobs brought him to National City.
With only an eighth-grade education, he worked for Rohr Aircraft, then Concrete Ships. He also bought and sold cars. By the 1950s, he had moved into real estate. At age 39, he was was asked by friends to run for City Council.
Besides son Kile Morgan Jr., Mr. Morgan is survived by a brother, George Morgan; son Robert Morgan; daughters Janice Hawken and Dolores Williams; seven grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.
Services are set for 10 a.m. Friday at One in Christ Church, 635 E. Seventh St. A reception will follow.
Janine Zuniga: (619) 498-6636; [email protected]
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