Michael John Morgan

Michael John Morgan, 70 of Lawrenceville passed away at home on November 6th. He was born in Bangor, North Wales on June 28, 1948 to father Inspector John Arthur and mother Winifred Lewis Morgan. From the start, his life was entwined with soccer, travel and later family. After he played at different amateur and semi-pro teams in England, he was recruited and played for Manchester City. He then began integrating his two loves, soccer and travel. Before making it to professional soccer, he worked for Thomas Cook Travel Agency as a Sports Group Coordinator. After professional soccer, he worked as a Sales Executive for British Caledonian Airways, Trans World Airlines, Kingsgate Travel, Laker Airways and finally the Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Beacharbour Resort Hotel in Miami, Florida. With all his success in the travel industry, soccer was still such a part of Mike. He became the Commissioner of Soccer for Pembroke Pines, Florida, then became the U-16 and U-19 Assistant Coach for Florida Youth Soccer. In 1986, after several moves, Mike and family settled in Georgia. While still in the travel industry, as the Vice President of Executive Tour Lines, he began to get more involved with soccer in Georgia. He coached the Datagraphic Soccer Club, Head coached for the Atlanta Attack and the Atlanta Express. Wanting to be more independent, he opened a travel agency, Travel Agents International. At the same time he transitioned back to youth soccer, he coached the Brookwood Steamers through the Soccer Academy, Director of Coaching of Stone Mountain Youth Soccer Association and then later at Norcross Youth Soccer Association. Advancing again to coach the Georgia Soccer Olympic Development Program (boys and girls), then the Region III Women's Team and the U16 US National Girls Team. During this time he was also asked to be the Director of Soccer for the Paralympic games and was the Stadium Field of Play Director in Athens for the 1996 Olympic Summer Games. In 2002 he was the Assistant Coach for the Atlanta Silverbacks. In 2004, Mike and wife Donna started The College Experience Program. This program helped high school junior and senior soccer players navigate the college recruiting process as well as helped them balance soccer and their studies. He and Donna helped many players fulfill their dream of becoming college athletes through the hard work they put forth with this incredible program. While he and Donna were still running The College Experience Program, he moved to the college level and became the Assistant Coach of Oglethorpe University and then in 2006 became the Head Coach for the women's program. Later on he laid the foundation with the City of Sugar Hill for the now known All-in Futball Club. After retiring from soccer he and his wife Donna started a small business. This allowed them to be able to spend quality time together and it gave Mike a chance to do something creative. He was very meticulous when it came to creating things and this new venture allowed him to utilize some of his strengths that he wasn't always able to use in soccer or travel. Mike was a true English gentleman who was caring, loving and an amazing brother, husband, father, and grandfather affectionately known as Pepaw or Grandpa. He was always so giving and supportive to everyone around him. He always had a smile on his face and had such a great sense of humor. He wanted the best for everyone and pushed them to be exceptional in every way. Mike showed his children and the soccer community what it was to be ethical and to put others first no matter what. He shied away from the spotlight and took the back seat to allow others to shine. Mike sacrificed so much for his family to have a better life. His true loves were family, soccer and travel. Mr. Morgan is survived by his wife, Donna Morgan; sister, Linda Taylor (Alex); daughter, Helen Craig (Daniel); son, Stephen Morgan (Amanda); stepson, David Bader (Lindsey); stepdaughters, Cathryn Hudson (Matt), Carolyn Moss (Gavin), Ashley Bader (Sloan Burgess), Laura Bader (Travis Marx); grandchildren, Oliver Craig, Grady Craig, Finley Morgan, Ayden Hudson, Avery Bader, Case Bader, Elliott Blake Bader, Garrison Moss, Gannon Moss and Levi Marx. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Soccer in the Streets (www.soccerstreets.org). A visitation will be held on Friday, November 9th from 3 - 7 pm at 3795 Summit Gate Dr, Suwanee, GA 30024.

Michael John Morgan

November 6, 2018