James Howard Morgan, age 83, of Stearns, Kentucky, passed away Thursday, May 14, 2026, at his home and was placed in the care of Hickman-Strunk Funeral Home.

Funeral services were held Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at 1:00 pm at Stearns First Baptist Church with Bro. Hilton Duncan officiating. Burial followed in the Stearns Cemetery.

He was born December 23, 1942, in Stearns, Kentucky, to the late Lawrence Morgan and Phyllis Charlene Marcum Morgan. On August 7, 1965, he married his childhood sweetheart, Carolyn Sue Adams. Their love story began at the age of 13 and continued throughout a lifetime devoted to one another.

James was a faithful and lifelong member of Stearns First Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon for 47 years and taught Sunday School for 59 years. His dedication to his faith and his church family was unwavering—he was still teaching just four days before his passing. He also previously served as Youth Director for the McCreary Baptist Association.

He worked as a buyer for H. T. Hackney for 41 years, where he was known for his strong work ethic and steady commitment.

James found joy in the simple and meaningful things in life. He loved golfing, reading, and following baseball and basketball, and was an avid University of Kentucky sports fan. As a young man, at the age of 16, he was selected to play for the Stearns Ramblers, a traveling baseball team, where he pitched. He was a familiar and beloved presence at the Stearns Golf Course, where he achieved the remarkable feat of recording 19 holes-in-one, a record for the old course.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Sue Morgan; brothers, Tom Morgan, Doyle Morgan, and Gary Morgan; and sisters, Aliene Stephens and Sue Jones.

He is survived by his daughter, Jamie Wuestefeld and husband Jake; grandchildren, Justin Wuestefeld and Jayden Wuestefeld; brother, Eugene Morgan; sister, Virginia Jones; and a host of extended family, church family, and friends who will cherish his memory.

Hickman-Strunk Funeral Home was honored to serve the family of James Morgan.