06-08-2006
Randy Morgan, president and CEO of Westone Laboratories Inc, Colorado Springs, Colo, died at home with his family surrounding him Tuesday, June 6. In recent months, he struggled valiantly against an aggressive form of brain cancer, after being diagnosed with a tumor last winter.
Morgan was born October 5, 1953, in Austin, Tex, the middle child of five sons. The family moved to the Pike’s Peak Region in 1955, where he grew up with his four brothers. He graduated from Widefield High School in 1971 and went to work for the family business shortly thereafter. He learned the business from the ground up.
Morgan was a key force in making Westone a world leader in custom earmold products, communications systems, and hearing care accessories. The company—which was literally founded in the kitchen of the Morgan family’s log cabin by his parents, Ronald and Mickey, in 1959—quickly became one of the world’s largest manufacturers of custom-made products for the ear. Randy Morgan, who was known for his intelligent and forward-thinking approach to developing and marketing hearing care products, helped introduce many earmold products for people with hearing impairment. In addition to quality custom-made ear products for the hearing care and recreational markets, Westone’s offerings have grown to encompass a complete line of products for dispensing professionals.
“Randy will be missed by not only his family and immediate friends, but the hearing aid industry, as well,” says Ron Slager, a longtime associate of the Morgan family and the CEO of HARC Mercantile, Portage, Mich. “We have lost a dynamic and positive force that has helped the industry stay abreast of changing trends as he guided Westone, the Morgan family business, for the past 25 plus years… If you ever had the privilege to meet and talk with Randy, you could not help but to be charmed by his ever-present smile, dry and vivid wit, and sincere concern for the welfare of all he met.”
Morgan married Nannette Marie Henault in June 1980, and the couple moved to Divide, Colo, in 1986 with their daughter Pamela, then to Woodland Park in 1990. They shared many adventures, and Morgan left behind many cherished memories for his beloved family and friends. He was an avid outdoorsman, and loved spending every free moment pursuing those adventures.
He is survived by both his parents, Ronald and Mickey Morgan, of Tomball, Tex; and his four brothers: Ronald “Rusty” and Karen (Smith) Morgan Jr. of Allegan, Mich, Richard and Virginia (McElhany) Morgan, of Woodland Park, Colo, Rodney and Kathy (Estes) Morgan of Walnut Creek, Calif, and Robin and Tracy (Salt) Morgan of Renton, Wash. He is also survived by his wife Nannette of Woodland Park, and children and grandchildren, Gregory Daniel (Andrew and Stacia) Morgan, Christopher “Chip” Todd (Samantha) Morgan, Amanda Michelle (Aaron Daily and Abigayle) Morgan, and Pamela Ann (husband Dave) Anderson, grandaughter, Hallie Morgan, all of Colorado Springs; 11 nephews and nieces; his in-laws, Kenneth and Marilyn Henault, four siblings and their 11 children.
A Celebration of life service will be held June 13 at 3 pm at New Life Church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to The Penrose Cancer Center in Colorado Springs or Prospect Homecare Hospice in Woodland Park, Colo.
