Dawn Marie Morgan

Dawn Marie Morgan, 55, of Bethel Acres, Oklahoma, passed away on December 26, 2024, after 14 years of battling cancer and cancer related illnesses. Her fight was long and vigorously fought. She passed in the same fashion that she lived her life, “she did it her way!”

Dawn was born October 2,1969, to her mother, Margaret, in Pontiac, Michigan. After graduating in 1987 from Carl Albert High School in Midwest City, Oklahoma, she attended college at Rose State College Studying in the field of Paralegal.

Dawn held various jobs throughout her life. The career she was most proud of was as a 911 dispatcher for Shawnee PD. She was loved by all her boys and girls throughout the Police Department, Fire Department, and React Ambulance Service. Every time she would see one of them, they would embrace her. In 2013 she was recognized by the Shawnee Fire Department, Chief 6, for her dedication. In 2014 she was awarded Civilian Employee of the Year by the Shawnee Police Department.

In late 1986, Dawn, while working as the early morning biscuit maker for Hardee’s, was introduced to Larry by the manager. Dawn and Larry went on their first date in January of 1987 to see Eddy Murphy Raw accompanied by their impromptu escort, Larry’s friend, Jon. After the show they exited to an Oklahoma ice storm. They dated for the next 3 years and were joined in Holy Matrimony on September 2, 1989.

Larry- I can still close my eyes and see that first kiss. It was at that moment when I knew she was my Ladybug. When a Ladybug lands on you, it’s supposed to be good luck. My ladybug landed on my lips.

There love and life together is full of these little moments.

Dawn was always a champion of children. She was the ultimate Mom, or as our oldest daughter, Nichole, preferred to call her, the ultimate “Maker of Magic”! No matter what hurdles life threw at her she always made her children and grandchildren her biggest priority and ensured their lives were full of nothing but joy and sunshine.

Her oldest son, Corey, a mild-mannered boy, was the defender of his mother. He loved her deeply and their relationship as mother and son became that of best friends as he grew into adulthood.

 After a few years of marriage and adjusting to being the spouse of a US Army Soldier, she wanted to do more for children, so she and Larry became Foster Parents. Being a foster parent was Dawn’s calling in life. She started out as an emergency placement safe house for abused children and quickly grew into being a Special Needs Placement Foster Parent. Her second most cherished memory as a foster parent was being given a premature baby suffering neonatal abstinence syndrome that was not expected to live. She provided kangaroo care around the clock and the baby no one expected to live began to thrive.

The first most cherished memory as a foster parent was taking the leap from foster parent to adoptive parent! She welcomed her son Brandon home straight from the hospital. When Brandon became hers, she felt complete. Her heart was full.

Dawn enjoyed Christmas time the most, having a house full of cheer with kids’ laughter as her only reward. She loved snowmen and every year Larry would buy her one special snowman to add to her collection.

She also enjoyed diamond art, garage sales, and baking. Her favorite way to pass time was reading.

Dawn and Larry would always part with a kiss and her saying “I love you” to which Larry would respond “I love you more” but she always got the last word with “I know”.

Dawn is preceded in death by her father, Stanley Furto; aunt, Kathy Bridge; uncle, Anthony Cooper; and aunt, Beth Cooper.

She is survived by her husband of 35 years, Larry James Morgan; mother, Margaret; sister, Mikal and brother-in-law, Jason; daughter, Nichole and son-in-law, Brad; son, Corey and daughter-in-law, Jessica; son, Brandon; stepson, Joshua and daughter-in-law, Janelle; and grandchildren: Olivia, Ace, Raelynn, Lynnlee, Delilah, and Zeke.