Our beloved husband, father, grandfather, son, brother and friend, Dennis Michael Morgan, passed away Tuesday, August 1, 2023, at home, in Sandy, Utah, at the age of 78, following a valiant fight with Alzheimer’s Disease. Dennis Michael was born July 8, 1945 to Dennis Jay and Mercedes Smith Morgan in Salt Lake City. He married Frances Grundmann on December 12, 1968 in the Salt Lake Temple. Dennis Michael was truly a remarkable, faithful, loving, well-read, kind and gentle man.
Michael learned so many wonderful, lifelong lessons from his dear parents. When Mike was young, he fell ill to polio. He handled the illness like he handled all things, with grace, dignity, and ingenuity. He graduated from Highland High School, where he was a member of the Acapella Choir and School Band. Mike had many great friends and sang in a folk singing group and played the guitar. Following graduation, he entered military service with the Air Force, later serving for many years as a Sergeant in the Utah National Guard. Michael served the Lord on a mission for two years in the New Zealand South Mission. He loved his missionary service and loved the people and land of New Zealand! Michael returned home to begin schooling at the University of Utah, where he enjoyed being a member of Delta Phi Fraternity. Mike was a Ute, through and through, and loved going to football and basketball games for over 50 years!
Mike met his sweetheart while they were both working part time at the University and attending school. They married when they were juniors in college and worked very hard to complete their degrees, often working multiple jobs to be successful. Mike graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in History and Sociology, and went on to graduate with a Master’s Degree in Educational Media with honors.
Dennis, as he was known in Murray School District, taught history, sociology, math, and AP economics at Murray High School for 19 years. He took teams to the Utah Academic Decathlon and the Close-up Program in Washington DC. He loved history so much and enjoyed sharing it with his students. Dennis received many teaching awards, including Murray School District Teacher of the Year. He then became the Murray District Library Coordinator for all district schools. He loved books and reading! This was the perfect job for him. He worked tirelessly for 16 years to make the school libraries the best they could be. He served as the President of the Utah Educational Library Media Association. He later lobbied the Utah State Legislature for additional funds for school libraries and was very successful, bringing millions of dollars to support the libraries.
Mike was a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather. His family was his joy and he was so proud of them! He taught his daughter, son and grandchildren how to build anything and make almost anything work. He was always there to support our adventures. He loved spending time at the family cabin, which he built, snowmobiling, Snowbird weeks, boating, playing games, fixing things and reading books to his children and grandchildren. Mike was most happy when he was with his family and loved to travel with his loved ones. He was blessed with many wonderful friends and neighbors and was always willing to lend a hand to anyone who needed his help. He loved his ward family!
Dennis Michael was a faithful disciple of Christ. He served in many callings through the years. He served as an Elder’s Quorum President, High Priest Group Leader, Counselor in the Bishopric, Stake Young Adult Leader, teacher and home teacher, to name a few. He was devoted in all his callings, but he especially loved being a teacher and a home teacher. Mike and Frances were honored to serve in the Jordan River and Draper LDS temples for many years. Dennis Michael served as the Baptistry Coordinator in both temples and was blessed by many spiritual experiences. He loved the people he worked with in the temples and counted all of them as special friends. The last several years, Mike and Frances were called to be Church of Jesus Christ Service Missionaries working in the BYU Pathway program. They worked with students in Sandy, in person, and Southern Africa, on Zoom. It was the highlight of the week when he could meet with them and the other missionaries.
Dennis Michael is survived by his wife, Frances; daughter, Jennifer Barney (Scott); son, Todd (Stephanie); grandchildren, Dillon and Dominic Morgan, Noah and Lily Barney; sister, Kay Peck (Lorin); sisters-in-law Vanita Grundmann and Nina Creech; several beloved nieces and nephews; and forever friends Birch and Glenda Weimer. He is preceded in death by his parents, Dennis and Mercedes Morgan; sister-in-law, Katherine G. Cahoon; brothers-in-law, Daniel Grundmann, Roger Creech, and Gary Cahoon.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, August 5, 2023, at the Cottonwood Creek Union 4th Ward, 1834 East Creek Road in Sandy, Viewings will be held at the church on Friday, August 4, 2023, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm and Saturday morning from 9:30 to 10:30 am prior to the services. Dennis Michael will have his final resting place at Larkin Sunset Gardens Cemetery.
The family would like to thank A Plus Hospice, Shantelle, Bethany, Cristi and Liz for their gentle and loving care of Mike for many months. They would also like to thank Larkin Mortuary for their exceptional care.
If you would like to watch the recorded funeral service, please click on the blue "Watch Services" button above.
Jennifer I know what a pillar of strength your dad has been to you. Sending love and prayers to you and your family.
So sorry to hear of your loss. You are a special couple and friends. I pray that blessings will be upon you. To find comfort and peace. Take care My friend. Love you both with fond memories.
I’m Mike’s sister in law. Frances and Mike were going together when I was 11yrs old. Mike was always kind and patient with me! He would come over to the house to pick Francie up for school. He would sit in the rocking chair in the living room. I had a Siamese cat/kitten at the time who was very active and Mike would pick him up and the only way I can describe it is he hypnotized him. Laid him on his back and SinSin would be very still like he was tranquilized. I asked Mike how he did that because I was amazed. He would just smile, never did tell me. I still have that rocking chair! Mike was great with my two sons CD and Steven. Steven knew him more and really appreciated the time he got to spend with Mike and Francie. My late husband Roger now has a great friend with him! Love you Mike, will cherish the memories!