James Patrick Morgans, son of Ord Harold Morgans and Bernice Josephine (Johnson) Morgans, was born on December 25, 1946 at Red Oak, Iowa. He entered into rest early Tuesday morning, August 11, 2015 at Bergan Mercy Hospital in Omaha, Nebraska at the age of 68 years, 7 months, 17 days.

Growing up, James' early life was spent in the communities of Boone and Essex, Iowa. He attended the Essex Community Schools, graduating from Essex High School with the Class of 1965. Following graduation, he attended Tarkio College in Tarkio, Missouri where he received a Degree in History. James later did his graduate work at Northwest Missouri State University and the University of Iowa.

On April 29, 1967, James was united in marriage to the love of his life, Judith Ann Raymond Rosenquist. Following their marriage they made their home in Shenandoah, where they raised their two children, Patrick James and Meredith Joy.

A celebrated Author, Historian and Lecturer, James shared his love of history while working at various educational programs. To his credit, he had over 200 articles published and taught writing courses on how to get published. He made numerous public presentations at various historical societies and conferences, including the Cowboy Hall of Fame, East Tennesee Historical Society, Des Moines Civil War Roundtable, the Western Historic Trails Center plus many other sites and venues. He authored four books: John Todd and the Underground Railroad, Letters and Reminiscences from the Iowa Frontier: John Todd and the Tabor Colony 1850-1865 and The Underground Railroad on the Western Frontier. James' fourth book is set to be released in the Fall/Winter of 2015 entitled, Grenville Mellen Dodge in the Civil War. James was also featured in a documentary titled The Jim Lane Trail about the Underground Railroad.

James was a member of the Tabor Historical Society, the Western Writers of America as well as a member of the United Congregational Church (UCC) in Council Bluffs. He enjoyed teaching Adult Sunday School at the UCC in Shenandoah and also served as a guest minister at various churches in Southwest Iowa. Even in his spare time, James enjoyed anything involving history, he also liked to follow his favorite teams, the Kansas City Royals and Husker Football. Most of all, he loved being "Papa" and spending time with his grandchildren.

Preceding James in death were his parents; nephew, Chris Eckley; brother-in-law, Steven Rosenquist; and father-in-laws, Robert Raymond and Harold Rosenquist. He is survived by his wife of over 48 years, Judith Morgans, their two children, Patrick James Morgans and Meredith Joy Kuehler and her husband Scott and two grandchildren, Benjamin Patrick and Elizabeth Joy Kuehler, all of Omaha, NE; sister, Susan Eckley and husband Junior of Cape Gerardo, MO; brother, Joseph Morgans of Kingman, AZ; mother-in-law, Joy Rosenquist of Council Bluffs, IA; two sister-in-laws, Pam Roush and husband George and Marta Rosenquist, all of Council Bluffs, IA; seven nieces and nephews, Joseph Morgans, James Morgans, Sarah (Morgans) Estes, George Morgans, Jennifer (Eckley) Jemison, Dawn (Tillman) Millikan and Doug Tillman; 12 great grand nieces and nephews; other relatives and many friends.

Memorials, in lieu of flowers, are being directed to the Tabor Historical Society.

Friends and family will be meeting at the funeral home at 9:30 a.m. Saturday morning to travel in procession to the graveside in Essex.