Milton C. Poone Morgan

Milton C. "Poone" Morgan, age 91, of West, passed away peacefully late Friday evening, November 20, 2015 at West Rest Haven in West. Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 24, 2015 at the First Baptist Church in West, with Dr. John Crowder officiating. Military Graveside Rites will follow at White Rock Cemetery near Ross, conducted by the West Veterans Guard. The family will receive visitors from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Monday at Aderhold Funeral Home. Poone was born August 11, 1924 in West, the son of William C. and Julia (Chase) Morgan. He graduated from West High School in 1943, where he excelled in sports, especially football. Shortly after graduation, Poone enlisted in the United States Army where he served in the 361st Infantry Regiment, 3rd Battalion of the 91st Division. Poone trained in Italy and later fought to regain control of Rome from the Nazi Regime. He then moved north to the mountainous regions driving the Nazi's from Italy. While moving out of a foxhole, Poone was wounded in both legs. A friend in his regiment drug him all night, hiding from the enemy, to safety with the American army. He spent 3 months recuperating in an Italian hospital and later received the Purple Heart Decoration, among other medals for wounds received in action. Upon being released from the Army, Poone returned home and enrolled in East Texas State Teacher's College at Commerce, Texas, where he earned his degree in education. On December 17, 1946, he was united in marriage to Mary Alice Dickenson in West. She preceded him in death on November 9, 2000. Poone began many years of teaching and coaching in various schools in the Waco community. He then returned to West in the mid sixties, where he coached and taught for many years. Poone was a huge supporter of athletics at West High School and served as an officer in the Athletic Booster Club for many years. He was given the nickname "Mr. Trojan" and enjoyed wearing the school colors. In 1973, Poone formed the Junior Historians and from there created the West High School Junior Historian Dancers, which perform traditional dances from the Czech Republic and German culture. Poone was a member of First Baptist Church of West. He also was a member of the West Kiwanis Club, West Masonic Lodge 475, V.F.W. Post #4819, American Legion #478 and West Athletic Booster Club. Poone is also preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Harry Morgan, Carl Morgan and Bernice Morgan; and sisters, Mary Eleanor Mashek, Margie Stewart and Katherine Mascarella. Survivors include many nieces and nephews, including his best friend and nephew Harry Glen Morgan, nephew Joe Mashek and special friends Chris and Heidi Hannes-Sepulveda and son Caydan. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the History of West Museum or the West Athletic Booster Club.