Obituary of Paul Morgan II

OBITUARY of PAUL MORGAN II, MD

“I hope when I die, people will be able to say that I was a good husband, a good father, and saved a few lives.” -Paul Morgan II, MD

Paul Morgan II, age 57, of Libertyville, Illinois passed away unexpectedly on Sept. 8, 2023. Paul was born on March 17, 1966 to Paul Sr. and Oneda Morgan (née Rogers) in Oakdale, Louisiana. Paul graduated from Natchitoches Central High School where he was a wrestler, played trumpet, and was voted most likely to succeed. He went on to study chemical engineering at Louisiana Tech University. His first (and last) job as an engineer was for an oil and gas company in Anchorage, Alaska where he saw whales from his office window, worked on the oil pipeline above the Arctic Circle, and heard the song of the northern lights. He soon realized engineering and endless, cold nights in Alaska were not for him and applied to medical school. He was accepted and awarded a full scholarship to the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) and then also did his residency in Internal Medicine at MCW. Wanting to serve in some capacity, but unable to join the military due to his medical history, Paul became a doctor for the VA hospital system, first in Milwaukee, then for the James A. Lovell VA in North Chicago, Illinois where he worked until the day he died. He often spoke of his love of working with his hospitalist team at the VA and teaching the younger residents. He always smiled during his daily “storytime about the residents” with his wife. Paul was a physician and professor of medicine for over 24 years.

Paul met Rejean (née Abraham), who he called “my heart”, on the second day of his second year of medical school in August of 1993. He swept her off her feet. They married in 1996 and have three wonderful children: Paul III (25, aka Palu or Little Paul), Mariam (22), and Olivia (17). He was so proud of all three children and loved more than anything to hear them laugh and joke with each other. He said it warmed his heart. He also loved talking with them about their interests and was always delighted when they introduced him to new artists and music.

Paul was interested in everything and loved to read – anything from history and biographies to philosophy and science fiction. Rejean and the children have Paul to thank for our love of Star Trek, Dr. Who, and the DC and Marvel universes. He was an avid collector of comic books and cameras. He would even go so far as to ask random people about their cameras, and they always responded to him, this gentle giant, with genuine openness and friendliness. Paul used to always say, “When I die, I want people to be able to say that I was a good husband, a good father, and saved a few lives.” He was and he did. Paul was a man of faith and showed it in his life and interactions with others.

Paul is survived by his wife of 27 years Rejean, his son, Paul III, his daughters Mariam and Olivia, his parents Paul Sr. and Oneda, his sister Vernita, and many cousins and extended family. In lieu of flowers, memorials made to NAACP Lake County Branch, Attn: Dr. Sandra W. Leconte, President, PO Box 9024,Waukegan, IL 60079 would be greatly appreciated.