Henry Morgan

Published 12:00 am Friday, February 5, 2010

Henry Steindorff Morgan, 90, of Opp, passed away in the early morning hours of Feb. 4, 2010, at his home lovingly attended by his family and Dayspring Hospice. He was known to his devoted wife as “Hank;” to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren as “Papa;” and to much of the world at large as “Mr. Henry.”
Funeral Services will be held at 2 p.m., Sat., Feb. 6, from Wyatt Funeral Home Chapel with burial following in Peaceful Acres Memorial Gardens. The Rev. Earl Hall and the Rev. Wayne Sharpe will be officiating with Wyatt Funeral Home in Opp directing. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Flowers will be accepted or memorial contributions may be made to the charity of one’s choice.
Morgan was born on Sept. 11, 1919, in McCollough, Ala., in Escambia County, to the late Joe B. Morgan and Frances Augusta Steindorff. He was one of four brothers and three sisters. As he grew up, his family lived in a number of places in Alabama and Tennessee before settling in Montgomery, where he graduated from Lanier High School in 1939.
In 1946, he married Bettye Jo Elmore from Walker County, and in 1948, moved to Opp to establish a Pan-Am gasoline distributorship with his brother, Jimmy Morgan, who later moved to Ozark to establish his own distributorship.
With the advice and counsel of his cherished uncle, Charles Lafayette Morgan, Morgan became a successful and innovative businessman. From his base in Opp, he started Auto Sav Tire stores, which grew to include retail outlets in five states and a recapping plant in Opp.
The establishment of Mr. Henry’s Convenience stores led to his last, and most famous enterprise – Mr. Henry’s Gourmet Cookies, which were sold throughout the United States and internationally.
Throughout his long career, he served as president or director of several national and statewide trade organizations to include the Alabama Petroleum Marketers Association, the National Oil Jobbers Council and the National Tire Dealers and Retreader’s Association.
He was a longtime active member of the First Baptist Church of Opp, serving as youth training union director and brotherhood president. He was a member of the Opp Lions Club for many years and served as its president. He served as president and numerous terms as a director of the Opp Chamber of Commerce.
He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Bettye Elmore Morgan; two sons, Henry S. “Mike” (Bonnie) Morgan Jr. and Richard E. Morgan; two sisters, Jean Morgan Weinbrecht and Joyce Morgan (Gunther) Klein; four grandchildren, Amy Morgan Schnorrenberg (Scott), James Michael Morgan (Sarah), Cari Lee Morgan and Sara Kate Morgan; and three great grandchildren, Noah and Sophie Schnorrenberg and Stella Gilbreath.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Joe, Jimmy and Bill Morgan; and a sister, Louise Hall.
The family wishes to express its deep appreciation for the kind and compassionate care from the nurses and staff of Dayspring Hospice and to caregiver Margie Blue for her help and friendship.