Necrology

Morgan Claflin Johnson '50

Jun. 16, 1923-Jan. 10, 2006

Morgan Claflin Johnson ’50, a retired manufacturers’ representative, was born on June 16, 1923, in Highland Park, MI. The son of Waldo M., an engineer, and Marie Bertch Johnson, he grew up in Grosse Ile, MI, but prepared for college at St. James School in Maryland. He subsequently took courses at the Georgia School of Technology and the University of Michigan. With his future plans put on temporary hold by World War II, he served during that conflict as a U.S. Navy Air Corps pilot. In the spring of 1946, following his release from the Navy as a lieutenant (j.g.), he came to College Hill and joined Alpha Delta Phi. With credit given for courses taken elsewhere, he was awarded his A.B. degree in 1949.

Married to Helen W. McKay on February 4, 1950, in Mystic, CT, Morgan Johnson took up residence in that state, where he began his business career as an assistant manager, industrial control, with the Arrow-Hart & Hegeman Electric Co. in Hartford. In 1956, the Johnsons moved to Owings Mills, MD, when Morgan joined Rowan Controller as vice president of sales. Six years later, they relocated to the West Coast where Morgan became a manufacturers’ representative in Newport Beach. In the late 1960s he established his own firm, the Morgan Johnson Co., which represented various manufacturers in the electric and electronic controls industry. He retired in the early 1990s.

Remarried in 1971, to Marion Cunniffe, Morgan Johnson resided on Emerald Bay, Laguna Beach, where he enjoyed sailing to Catalina Island, sail-racing to Ensenada, Mexico, and entertaining family and friends with backyard barbeques. He and Marion also enjoyed traveling to British Columbia to see friends and take in air shows.

Left a widower in 1985, and in ill health, Morgan Johnson relocated last year to Salem, VA, where he died on January 10, 2006. He is survived by three sons from his first marriage, Bruce, Brad, and Douglas Johnson; a stepson and stepdaughter, Peter Cunniffe and Lauren M. Cunniffe ’83; and six grandchildren, three step-grandchildren, and a sister.

 

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