A Tahoma School District library is named after educator who died July 14

Gary Morgan, a former principal in the Tahoma School District, died July 14.

He retired in 2000, completing a 40-year career in education.

Morgan suffered a severe stroke in 2002, which left him partially paralyzed and unable to speak. He died in his sleep at his home.

He began teaching in the Tahoma district in 1961 but left after three years to teach in Hawaii. Morgan returned to Tahoma in 1967 as an elementary school principal at Lake Wilderness Elementary School. In that job, he also was in charge of two small grade schools – Ravensdale and Maple Valley.

Before he retired, Morgan served as principal at Shadow Lake Elementary School, Cedar River Elementary (before it became a middle school) and, for one year, as interim principal at Rock Creek Elementary School. He was also active in the community as a member of the Lions and Rotary and other community organizations.

In 2004, he was honored by the school district and the city of Maple Valley on Gary Morgan Day at Cedar River Middle School. It was the second time the city had honored him with a proclamation, the first coming in 1997 when the city recognized him for receiving the WSU Cougar Dad of the Year award. Washington State University was his college alma mater.

He was honored again in 2006 when the library at Cedar River Middle School was named in his honor.

He was dedicated to his wife, Jeanne, his children and his students, according to those close to him.

A celebration of his life is slated for 6 p.m. Aug. 22 at Maple Valley Presbyterian Church.

His family said contributions may be made to Washington Mutual bank for the Gary D. Morgan Scholarship Fund for Girls in Math/Science for Tahoma High School.