Ernest W. Morgan

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Ernest “Ernie” Wilson Morgan, a beloved science teacher and passionate space and flying enthusiast. Ernie left this world on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025, leaving behind a legacy of knowledge, inspiration, and a love for discovery that touched the lives of countless students and colleagues.

Born in Valdese, N.C., on Dec. 8, 1944, Ernie had a lifelong passion for science, aviation and exploring that began at an early age.

He spent his early years of education in the Department of Defense Educational System in Morocco, Germany, and Spain. Ernie received his pilot license and drove on a scooter from Morocco up through Eastern Europe when he was 16 years of age.

He graduated High School in Morocco and earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology from Appalachian State University. He then embarked on a rewarding career as a teacher at Morganton Junior High School for 20 years, where he shared his love of science with his students.

He spent most of his teaching years teaching his favorites, Seventh and Ninth Grade Physical Science and Chemistry. He had an impact on molding the minds of young teens and mentored them to work hard in continuing their education after they finished school.

Ernie and his friend Herb Stevens started the EEE Program (known as the North Carolina Outward Bound School) to teach children how to enjoy the outdoors and important wilderness survival skills.

In 1984, Ernie was one of the two selected to be North Carolina’s representative of Teacher in Space Project (TISP) which was a NASA program announced by Ronald Reagan designed to inspire students and spur interest in mathematics, science, and space exploration.

The project would carry teachers into space as a non-astronaut civilian. Ernie returned to the classrooms and shared his experience with his students and his children to continue the interest of science for generations.

Ernie was a true adventurer and entrepreneur. He founded Table Rock Spring Water Co. in Morganton. The company started by selling a few bottles of mountain spring water from his mother’s sink to becoming a successful bottled water company.

He spent many years delivering water and managing customer relationships with distributors. Ernie spent his retirement traveling to Eastern Europe and exploring his passion of flying ultralight paragliders and gliders. He was a member of Lower Creek Airport Aviation Club since 1994, where he taught other paragliding enthusiasts in 2012 how to fly at minimal costs to keep the love of aviation alive. He was known for his engaging lessons, comical enthusiasm, and unwavering dedication to flying. He was a wonderful father and grandfather, who loved his family deeply.

Ernie was preceded in death by his father Ernest Milford Morgan; a wonderful father, and is survived by his mother, Louise Powell Morgan; two daughters, Yasmina Morgan Nicholas (Matthew Nicholas) and Phyllis Ann Morgan Clendenen, and grandchildren Hayden Ralph Nicholas, Isabelle Morgan Clendenen and Knox Alexander Clendenen.

The family will receive friends from noon to 1 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, at Sossoman Funeral Home. The funeral will be held at 1 p.m. in the colonial chapel of the funeral home. Burial will follow in Table Rock Seventh-day Adventist Church cemetery.

He will be deeply missed by his students, colleagues, and everyone whose life he touched. In honor of his memory, the family requests that donations be made to Christa McAuliffe Charter School (mcauliffecharter.org/donate).

“The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existence. One cannot help but be in awe when he contemplates the mysteries of eternity, of life, of the marvelous structure of reality. It is enough if one tries merely to comprehend a little of this mystery each day.” — Albert Einstein

Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family with the arrangements.

Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.sossomanfh.com.