Robert B Morgan

Robert Burren Morgan was born on Oct. 5, 1925, in Lillington, N.C., where he lived all his life. He was drafted into the wartime Navy in 1944 during his sophomore year at East Carolina Teachers College in Greenville, N.C., now East Carolina University. He was recalled to duty in the Korean War and saw combat as an officer on the aircraft carrier Valley Forge. On leaving the Navy, he practiced law and served in the State Senate for 14 years before being elected state attorney general, a post he held from 1969 to 1974. As attorney general, he took a strong role in furthering consumer protections, creating a law enforcement training academy and expanding the State Bureau of Investigations. After he left the United States Senate, he headed the investigations bureau from 1985 to 1992. Mr. Morgan is survived by his wife, the former Katie Earle Owen, whom he married in 1960; two daughters, Margaret Morgan Holmes and Mary Morgan; a foster son, Rupert C. Tart Jr.; and five grandchildren. MORGAN, Robert Burren, a Senator from North Carolina; born in Lillington, Harnett County, N.C., October 5, 1925; attended the Lillington public schools; attended East Carolina College 1942-1944, 1946-1947; B.S., University of North Carolina 1945; J.D., Wake Forest College School of Law, Winston-Salem, 1950; served in United States Navy 1944-1946, recalled during Korean Conflict 1952-1955, and remained in the Navy Reserve through 1971, advancing to lieutenant commander; served in United States Air Force Reserve 1971-1973, retiring as lieutenant colonel; admitted to the North Carolina bar in 1950; county clerk and judge of probate, Harnett County, N.C., 1950-1954; general practice of law 1955-1969; served in North Carolina State senate 1955-1969, named president pro tempore 1965; attorney general of North Carolina 1969-1974; elected as a Democrat to the United States Senate in 1974 and served from January 3, 1975, to January 3, 1981; unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1980; director, North Carolina State Bureau of Investigations 1985-1992; resumed general practice of law in Lillington, N.C., in 1992; was a resident of Buies Creek, N.C., at the time of his death on July 16, 2016.