James Lewis Morgan, 74, of Lexington Park died Aug. 13, 2012. He was a patient at Washington Adventist Hospital in Takoma Park.

Born Dec. 27, 1937, he was the son of the late Thomas Cornelius Morgan and RoseMary I in Valley Lee.

He was educated at Great Mills High School. He was employed at Great Mills Trading Post, the St. Mary’s County Department of Recreation and Parks, Bob Chapman Construction and after 20 years of employment with the St. Mary’s County public school system, he retired in 2009.

He enjoyed listening to “oldies and goodies,” watching wrestling and Westerns, planting gardens, working on cars, oystering and, of course, his faithful grass cutting. His favorite pastime, however, was spending time with his grandchildren. He had a habit of chewing on a toothpick.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two children, James Morgan II and Debra Lynn; two brothers, Thomas A. Morgan and Stevenson Morgan; and two sisters, Lucy Mae Morgan and Arlene Beck Morgan.

He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Rebecca; seven children, Brenda (Eddie), Frances (Tina), Ronald and Ronnie, Robert (Keisha), Stephen (Wendy) and Michelle; six brothers, Robert E. Sr. (Nicole), Charles E., Bobby E., Charles Gladden Jr. (Louise), Joseph K. Calvin (Francine) and Eric Morgan; five sisters, RoseMary II, Sadie, Frances E., Julia and Mary Agnes; and a host of grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

He will be missed.

The family will receive friends today, Aug. 17, at 9 a.m. until a funeral service at 10 a.m. at St. George Catholic Church in Valley Lee. Interment will follow at the church cemetery.

Arrangements are being handled by Briscoe-Tonic Funeral Home in Mechanicsville.