John Paul “J.P.” Morgan, DDS, 89, of O’Fallon, IL, passed away on January 6, 2019 in Gaithersburg, MD. Born on October 23, 1929 in Kokomo, IN, the youngest of three boys, all eight years apart, slumbered his first night in a dresser drawer. He attended the segregated grade school across the street from his home from first through sixth grades. He attended Kokomo High, an integrated school, from eighth through twelfth grades. Sticks (not because he played drums but because of his physical stature) was very active in a variety of sports. He was the first African-American in six years to play on the basketball team. He ran hurdles and sprints on the Kokomo High track team and in the summers played baseball for the Kiwanis. He played first tenor saxophone in the school band and after school and on weekends played in a local four-man band. His voice was another instrument he excelled at, having won first place as a vocalist in the local talent contest. In the city of Kokomo, he was the first man of color to join the YMCA HI-Y and Phalanx organizations.

He enrolled at Indiana University Kokomo Campus and was drafted into the Korean War. He was assigned to the role of a dental assistant and prosthodontic dental laboratory technician. The Army stationed him at seven different posts in a two-year span. Upon his discharge, he completed pre-dental studies at Indiana University and received the Doctor of Dental Surgery from Meharry Medical College School of Dentistry in Nashville, TN.

He entered the Air Force and served as Officer-in-Charge of the Hospital and Dependent Dental Care at Edwards AFB, CA. He was Assistant Base Dental Surgeon at Misawa AB, Japan and then served as Chief of Dental Prosthodontics and Oral Diagnosis at Lockbourne (Rickenbacker) AFB, OH. He was Chief of Oral Diagnosis and Oral Surgery at Tan Son Nhut AB, Republic of Vietnam. Upon his return from the war zone he was assigned to Kirtland AFB, NM as Assistant Base Dental Surgeon and then was the Base Dental Surgeon at Hahn AB, Germany. Finally, he was assigned to Scott AFB, IL as Deputy Director of Dental Services until his retirement from the U.S. Air Force. He returned as a contract dentist in Clinical Dentistry at Scott AFB.

After his retirement from active duty as an Air Force dental officer for 28 years (in addition to his 2 years in the Army and 4 years in the reserves after the Korean War), he spent the next 17 years at the 375th Dental Squadron supporting the dental health of the Scott AFB community. The very building in which dental care is provided today was built under his supervision as project officer. As an honorable thank you for his service to our nation, in both the Korean and Vietnam wars, and as recognition of his unselfish generosity to the community both through the healing arts and community service, the Library/Conference Room was named after him.

His military decorations include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Air Force Commendation Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, National Defense Service Medal with one bronze star, U.S. Vietnam Service Medal with three bronze stars, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross and Palm, and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

He was very active in the community as a life member of the NAACP, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, African American Association, a member of the O’Fallon Kiwanis Club (where he was recognized with the 1993-1994 Outstanding Vice President and Service Award as well as the 1995-1996 Outstanding Kiwanis Club Member Award, and where he was serving as Treasurer). He was also a life member of the National Dental Association and a member of the Tuskegee Airmen Inc. He is a charter and life member of the (Edwards AFB) Joseph A. Meekins #103 Prince Hall Lodge F & AM State of California, Inc. He is included in the Who’s Who Among Black Americans. The friendships founded at Edwards AFB all those years ago created the "Cold War Eagles” and their reunions were a blessing!

Beloved husband of the late Pauline Marie Morgan, he is survived by his daughter Angela Marie (James) Wasel of Gaithersburg, MD; nieces and nephews Robert Morgan, Dennis (Brenda) Morgan of Kokomo, IN, Janet (Gerald) Jordan of Cleveland, OH, Jeanne Mayes of Fairview Heights, IL, and Charles (Sandra) Moore of Germantown, MD, and countless dear family and friends worldwide. He is preceded in death by his parents Bradley and Lora Morgan, brothers Charles (Lorraine/Ruby) Streaty and Gordon (Alexine) Morgan, and niece Jacqueline Morgan-Hegwood.

Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org and American Heart Association at www.heart.org. Condolences may be extended to the family online at www.schildknechtfh.com.

Visitation will be held from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, January 18, 2019 at Schildknecht Funeral Home, 301 South Lincoln Avenue, O’Fallon, IL 62269.

Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 19, 2019 at Mt. Olive Baptist Church, 423 W. Dee St., Lebanon, IL 62254 with Rev. Dr. W.J. Griffin officiating.

Interment will be held at a later date at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA with full military honors.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Schildknecht Funeral Home.