Dennis P. Morgan
April 11, 2021
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Service Details
Dennis Paul Morgan, 74, passed away Sunday, April 11, 2021 at his home.
Dennis was born October 14, 1946 in Osceola, Iowa to Hoyle E. and Darlene E. (Westhafer) Morgan and remained a Central Iowa native his entire life. He was a graduate of East High School in Des Moines. Dennis was a current resident of Southeast Polk County since 1981.
His was a life of service. He enlisted in the USMC February in 1965, MCRD in San Diego, CA. He entered Vietnam, 7th Motor Transport BN, serving from 1967-1968. He was honorably discharged from USMC July 1968 as a Corporal.
He entered US Army Reserves in 1974 and attended the Iowa Military Academy OCS in 1978. He retired from the US Army Reserves in 1995 as Lieutenant Colonel.
He joined the Des Moines Police Department in 1968. From 1979 to 2001, he was a member of the Arson Task Force, working jointly with Des Moines Fire Department. He retired from the Des Moines Police Department as a Senior Police Officer in 2001. In 1990, he purchased an acreage and it became Morgan Oaks Tree Farm.
He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Sue Morgan; sons, Tim (Jen) Morgan and Mike (Nikki) Morgan; brothers, Douglas Morgan and Donald Morgan; grandchildren, Mason Walker Morgan, Lila Ruth Morgan, Paxton Lee Morgan, Mason Hedrick and Brody Hedrick.
Visitation will be held from 5-7pm Thursday, April 15 at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street, Des Moines. Funeral service will begin at 10am Friday, April 16, also at Hamilton’s, and will conclude with burial at Warren Powers Cemetery with a reception to follow.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be directed to The Des Moines Police Burial Association.
Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.
Mary Avants
04/16/2021
The loss of Denny is great within his Army family. He was such a great officer to work with even though he was quite the prankster at times. Will miss his smiling face. Prayers for his family.
Joyce Mall James
04/15/2021
Thinking of your family with love and prayers.
Joan Warne
04/15/2021
I lost my best friend... what can I do?
Go find him? It shouldn't be hard to do.
A true Irish lad at 6'4" tall with smiling blue eyes and a grin on his face.
Sue by his side with two cups of brew and
faithful companion Duke with a mouthful of treats.
A true Patriot- standing tall as he salutes the beautiful Red, White, and Blue.
Barb Burress
04/14/2021
Sue , Tim and Mike. I was so saddened to hear of Dennis' passing. A lot of memories have now gone. He will not be forgotten as he had many friends. My thoughts and prayer's go out to all the family and may God guide you through this time of mourning.
Barb Burress
Dave Merrill
04/14/2021
Sue & family
I always enjoyed coming out to Morgan Oaks, it was always a happyplace. Dennis was in his element working in the shop or out among the trees. He will be greatly missed but never ever forgotten. He was a good classmate, husband, brother, dad, cop, soldier, grandpa & most of all a good person. My thoughts are with your family through these tough times & the days that follow.
Neil brankis
04/14/2021
Great great friend growing up on the east side
jim & jackie barkmeier
04/14/2021
Dennis was a wonderful patriarch, husband, father, grandfather, friend, and community member. We will miss him greatly. Our condolences to Sue and family. God bless Dennis.
Dave Brown
04/14/2021
Throughout his career Denny set a fine example to not only young officers, but to the more "seasoned officers" on the department, as to what it meant to be a dedicated officer on the D.M.P.D. He had the respect of not only his peers but his superiors as well. Overall he was just one great guy and a great friend to all who knew him.
My sympathy is extended to Sue and the rest of Denny's family.
Dave Brown
Retired D.M.P.D.
Bill judkins
04/14/2021
Terrible news about the passing of Denny. I am proud to say that Denny was a good personal friend for may years. I a m in Florida for the winter but wanted sue and family to know he is in our prayers
Bill and Jo Judkins
Jack Scrignoli
04/13/2021
Dear Sue and family, I am so sorry for your loss! My thoughts and prayers for you and all your family! I have always considered You and Denny good friends! So sorry!
Robert Lewis
04/13/2021
Sorry to hear that Denny has left us. I always thought of him as a great guy and good friend. I worked in Detectives with him just before he retired and spent 12 years on the Credit Union Board serving with him as well. He was always willing to help. Prayers be with you. Bob Lewis DMPD Retired.
Dave Williamson, Runnells, IA
04/13/2021
I remember Denny as a young boy when Bill and him would come over and borrow my dads cement tools. When I was older and moved by him, we would take trips to Shenandoah and Charles City to pick up trees and bushes. We'd have long talks about life and I would try and convert him to become a Vikings fan.
I could always count on him and will remember him as a hard worker. I'd see him in the rear lot of the station or at the credit union and would ask him what he was hauling today in his work van. He'd just look and give me his grin. He is a part of a dying breed of true Police Officers. A sad situation. Guys that leave impressions upon you.
In closing, what I knew he valued most in life, were his boys. He always told me about what they had going on and how proud he was to be their dad.
Dennis was a good man!
Lieutenant Roger Sanders
04/12/2021
To Sue, Tim, Mike and all or the Morgan family.
I am deeply saddened at the passing of my longtime friend and comrade. I was looking at his picture in the obituary and for a moment it took me back many years to the days when we were young patrolmen working the beat together. I kind of looked up to him in a way as he was senior to me. It was like a junior officer/senior officer kind of thing.
Denny was a very impressive police officer. He was the epitome of everything you thought a cop ought to be. Tall, strong, command presence, spit and polish, spotless uniform, he had it all. Oh, and did I mention good looks to go along with all of it?
But what was even more impressive about Denny as I came to know him was what was inside of him, his character. He was an honest, dedicated, hard working police officer whose high standards of ethics and conduct set an example to all who worked with him and to law enforcement in general. He was kind and considerate and always treated people with respect and dignity. He was well thought of within the department and I never ever heard anyone say anything bad about him.
In his later years as a detective, he established a reputation of being a top-notch investigator who specialized in arson and fire investigations and went after perpetrators with a disciplined, relentless, militaristic style approach that I think, looking back, was just part of who he was.
So to my good friend its time to say goodbye and to the family my deepest condolences knowing we have lost a good and honest man who cannot be replaced.
Lieutenant Colonel Morgan I salute you.
Detective Denny Morgan I will miss you.
Roger W (Pup) Sanders
Lieutenant, Retired
Des Moines Police
Nancy Delpierre
04/12/2021
To The Family:
I met Dennis and his family back in the 60's when we lived on E. Grand.
He always had a smile.
Sorry to read of his passing and the loss of your loved one.
Nancy Delpierre
🙏🇺🇸