Keith C. Morgan died on April 5, 2025 at his home in Umatilla at the age of 70.
Born on May 5, 1954 in Heppner, Keith Cordell Morgan was an Eastern Oregon kid through and through. He spent his childhood surrounded by family including his mother, Lorraine, father, Clayton, big sister, Linda and younger brother, Kevin. They were blessed to grow up in Condon along with aunts, uncles, and eight first cousins who, to Keith, felt more like siblings. Family time in Condon was spent playing cards and music. The kids spent most of their time hanging around the Shoestring Drive-In when not causing their fair share of trouble all over town. When Keith was old enough to join town teams and sports leagues, Keith jumped in and never looked back.
He was on a ball field or a basketball court of some kind his entire life. In high school, he was a three-sport athlete who loved a packed gym and the bright lights of the football or baseball field. He cherished his time playing football and basketball for Western Oregon University (then Oregon College of Education) in Monmouth. The memories he made there were some of the brightest moments of his life. His teammates became cherished life-long friends. This period of his life was incredibly influential, forming the bedrock of community building, friendship, and service that defined so much of who he was.
After completing his time at OCE, Keith returned home to Condon where he began teaching high school and coaching. It was there that he reunited with old friends and made plenty of new ones. It was also where Keith met Toni Lewin, who was also teaching at the time, in 1978. They were soon married and later moved to the Hermiston area where they lived until Toni’s passing in April 1997. Teamwork, coaching, and supporting his community through athletics came naturally to Keith as an adult.
Professionally, there was never a challenge Keith wasn’t up to taking. Keith sold everything under the sun, from cars to mortgages to flooring products.
He enjoyed talking with people, helping solve problems, and improving others’ lives in any way he could. He valued work of all kinds and was known as someone who was fair, hardworking, and willing to take on a challenge. He belonged to many associations, teams, and clubs. Civic engagement was modeled in his upbringing and for this reason, he knew that being part of a community, a church, and a team was what truly brought meaning and value to one’s life.
Keith had many interests. He coached basketball, football, and even diving at the college level. He taught social studies as a young professional and was part of community development of all kinds. He truly defined what being a servant leader looked like. He took the most difficult jobs first, was dedicated to providing an outlet to those who needed it, and was constantly rooting for the underdog (as long as they weren’t playing Kentucky).
Keith was lucky to find love again in 2000 when he met Edie Adams of Hermiston. They blended their families to now include Max, Cydney, Billy Paul, and Shelby. Keith and Edie loved to travel, play golf and spend their best days with close friends, and they found a great sense of belonging in their local church community.
He will be remembered as a loving father, doting husband, supportive friend, action-heavy grandpa, and the one person you’d call if you were in a bind. He was selfless above all else, with an ever-present smile through it all.
The lesson and legacy he left for us is one of service, leadership, and commitment to the greater good. He taught us that the only thing worse than a thief is a liar and that money doesn’t buy you class or intelligence. Keith was permanently present in his children’s lives, chasing his dreams, and influencing others through his passion and resilience.
He was a part of many communities and teams over the years. The men he played with and who played for him continued to influence his life, even through
his passing. Those relationships meant the world to him and gave him strength in his final few months.
Keith is survived by his wife, Edie Morgan; his son, Max Morgan; daughters, Cydney McElligott and Shelby Morgan; Billy Paul Bolton; and grandchildren, Stella, Harlow, Judah, Adley, Evelyn, Billy and Jaden.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Clayton and Lorraine; his first wife, Toni Morgan; and his grandson and namesake, Dominic Cordell McElligott.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 19 at the Stanfield High School gymnasium at 3 p.m. It will be followed by a celebration of life at the Maxwell Event Center from 4:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Please share memories of Keith with his family at Burnsmortuary.com.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
