Donald Ray “Scrooge” Morgan

Aug. 16, 1943 – May 5, 2024

Pharmacist Scrooge Morgan on his retirement day in 2006

‘‘Once in a great while, there is someone who impacts your life in a way that is unforgettable … I do not know anyone who has been any kinder and more caring than Donald ‘Scrooge’ Morgan.” Evelyn Graves wrote these words in an article for “The Groundhog” in 2006, when Scrooge retired as the pharmacist at Morgan Drugs in Valley Head. He passed away on May 5, 2024.

If you didn’t know Scrooge, you likely knew of his and wife Edna’s cows at the Morgan Hereford Cattle Farm on County Road 177 in Mentone. Edna is the daughter of Dewey Smith, who once owned hundreds of acres of land in Mentone and supplied the horses to eight local summer camps.

Scrooge grew up in Valley Head. He and Edna were high school sweethearts at Valley Head High School, where they graduated in 1961. As well as being voted Mister and Miss Valley Head, they were each voted “Most Likely to Succeed.”

Scrooge went to Jacksonville State University, and Edna went to Auburn University. The following year, he transferred to Auburn’s pharmacy school. After marrying in 1963, the couple returned to Valley Head, and Edna began her 25-year career teaching home economics at the high school. Scrooge began working as a pharmacist for Coleman Drugs, owned by L.M. Coleman. In 1973, Scrooge and “Doc” Coleman became partners, and in 1978 Scrooge bought Coleman’s half of the business and changed the name to Morgan Drugs. He had customers come from as far as Summerville and Gadsden, because they appreciated the personal attention he gave them.

Coley, Scrooge and Edna Morgan celebrating Scrooge’s retirement from Morgan Drugs

The name “Scrooge” might seem a misnomer, given the actual character of the man. His niece, Melanie Morgan Horton, explained that when her father, Wayne, and young Don were growing up in Sylvania, their father owned the movie theater. He put his sons to work when they were very young, scooping up popcorn, pouring sodas, and cleaning the floors.

“Scrooge always had money in his pocket,” she said, “and one day my daddy wanted to borrow some money from him but he wouldn’t let him. So Daddy said, ‘Well, you’re an old scrooge!’ The name stuck for life.”

Sweethearts Scrooge Morgan and Edna Smith were named Valley Head High School’s “Most Likely to Succeed” in 1961

Scrooge and Edna had one son, Coley, born in 1978. At age 4 or 5, he was diagnosed with a medulloblastoma, a brain tumor. The family flew to Boston, where Coley underwent brain surgery. Although complications from the radiation therapy caused strokes and meningitis, Coley graduated from Valley Head High School with honors. In 2009, he took a tumble and hit the back of his head. He did not survive the injury.

“Scrooge and Edna’s devotion to Coley was unbelievable,” said Mentone’s Mayor Rob Hammond. “When they took Coley to Boston, my sister Rosie was a nurse practitioner working for Harvard Health Services. She knew the family, so she started going to the hospital to see Coley, Edna, and Scrooge. They were already friends, but that helped them be even closer.”

Avid Auburn football fans, the Morgans held season tickets for over 50 years. As a fullback, Scrooge had been captain of Valley Head’s football team. He was also an All-County Athlete. Along with football, he played basketball (he stood 6 feet, 4 inches tall), and baseball. His love for Valley Head football never ceased. He was instrumental in replacing the school’s original football stadium and often hired football players to work on the farm during the summer months.

Devoted Auburn fans Scrooge and Edna at Jordan-Hare Stadium in 2011

The Morgans began cattle farming in 1983. Edna retired before Scrooge and began managing the farm. At one point, they owned 300 head of registered Hereford cattle and held large cattle sales on the farm. The herd is significantly smaller now. Since Scrooge’s death, the next generation has declared they will try their hand at raising cattle. His niece Melanie’s son-in-law is a pharmacist in Auburn and is particularly interested in learning the cattle business. Both he and Melanie’s son have had a head start. “My son worked for Scrooge every summer since he was 13,” Melanie recalled, “and my son-in-law worked every summer since he was 19.”

Four-month-old great-grand-nephew Banks Morgan Bowen sits on “211,” Scrooge’s beloved freckled bull

Scrooge was meticulous, and they learned the ins and outs of how he and Edna ran the farm.

“We hope to be able to continue his legacy,” Melanie added.

This year, 11 calves were born. One was born on the day Scrooge died.

“He was an exceptional man in everything that he did,” Melanie said. “Truly a selfless, humble soul. He did so many things for people that people didn’t even know about. He was so intelligent that he still remembered his patients’ prescription numbers. Scrooge had countless friends and genuinely enjoyed being around people. He was the most generous person I’ve ever known. He was right the opposite of a scrooge.”