Thomas Wayne Morgan, 72, passed away unexpectedly on Nov. 5, 2026, leaving behind a remarkable legacy of faith, love, leadership, generosity and an extraordinary number of cherished relationships. Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12, 2026, at Miller Funeral Home - Downtown Chapel (507 S. Main Ave., Sioux Falls), with a Wake and Rosary service at 6 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Nov. 13, 2026, at St. Mary Church (2109 S. 5th Ave., Sioux Falls).
Born on Jan. 11, 1954, to Robert and Mary (Doyle) Morgan and raised in Mitchell, Tom developed an early and lifelong love of the outdoors, adventure and the people around him. Growing up, he was an enthusiastic Boy Scout, earning both the prestigious Eagle Scout and Ad Altare Dei awards. His childhood in South Dakota, including family vacations to Okoboji, created memories and connections to home that he would carry with him throughout his life.
Tom attended the University of South Dakota, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in biology. His connection to USD remained strong throughout his life, and he was later honored with the University’s Distinguished Alumni Award.
Following graduation, Tom moved to San Diego, where he established an impressive personal and professional foundation. An accomplished entrepreneur and business leader, he founded, acquired and successfully led multiple companies throughout his career. His leadership and commitment to the community led him to serve as chairman of the Greater San Diego Chamber of Commerce, chairman and president of the San Diego Symphony Association, chairman of the CEO Roundtable, and founding chairman of the Commission on the Accreditation of Ambulance Services. Along the way, he continued his education, earning an MBA from the University of California, Irvine, and a master’s degree in bioethics from Loyola University Chicago. It was also in San Diego that Tom managed to convince (or perhaps expertly persuade) the love of his life, Susan (Lee), to marry him and embark on the greatest adventure of all: building a life and family together.
After their four children graduated and began their own lives, Tom and Susan made the decision to return home to South Dakota. For more than 20 years, they proudly called Sioux Falls home, where Tom continued to share his experience, wisdom and passion for developing others as a Vistage Chair of the Sioux Empire.
Above all his professional accomplishments, Tom’s Catholic faith was the foundation of his life. His relationship with God and love for Jesus guided the way he lived, loved, served and treated others. An active and devoted parishioner of St. Mary’s, Tom generously gave his time and energy to his church and faith community. His involvement in South Dakota Prison Ministries and participation in the Demontreville Silent Retreat reflected his deep commitment to living his faith through service, reflection and prayer. He prayed for the people he loved every day, and his faith was evident not just in his words but in the way he showed up for others.
The greatest love of Tom’s life was his wife, Susan. In October 2026, they celebrated 43 years of marriage and a partnership that was truly something special. They were rarely far from one another and shared a life filled with adventure, laughter, travel and an unwavering devotion to each other. They were each other’s perfect partner, building a marriage grounded in trust, humor, respect and deep adoration.
Tom and Susan loved to travel and rarely passed up an opportunity to explore somewhere new. In 2026 alone, their adventures took them on an Alaskan cruise, to Rome for a deeply meaningful pilgrimage that included a special Scavi tour and an audience with Pope Leo XIV, and to destinations across the country and around the world, including Carmel, Charlotte, Austin, San Diego, Alaska, Boulder, Edinburgh, Key West, Minneapolis and Phoenix. He was already looking forward to upcoming adventures to Singapore and a Southeast Asian cruise with his dear friend Bill Keyes and Bill’s wife, Neva. But whether traveling across the world or simply spending a quiet day together, Tom and Susan were happiest in each other’s company. Their love, friendship and hilarious dynamic were a joy to everyone fortunate enough to know them.
Tom’s four children and seven grandchildren were the absolute light of his life. He was an extraordinary father and grandfather: loving, generous, supportive, joyful and ever-present. Distance was never an obstacle when it came to the people he loved. He traveled to visit his children, coordinated annual family reunions, celebrated births, baptisms, graduations and weddings, planned surprise parties and welcomed everyone home for holidays. He was always keeping track of the latest flight, milestone, job change or family update. No detail was too small, no trip too far and no occasion too ordinary to deserve his attention. His family could always count on his encouragement, sage advice, laughter and unconditional love. He gave generously of himself and made sure the people he loved never doubted how much they mattered.
Tom also treasured his many friendships and extended family relationships. He shared a special bond with his sister Mary Alice, brother Daniel, brothers- and sisters-in-law, cousins, nieces, nephews and the countless people fortunate enough to call him a friend. He had a remarkable ability to make people feel connected, remembered and cared for. His circle of friends spanned generations, professions and places, and he considered those relationships among life’s greatest blessings.
Professionally, Tom was so much more than an accomplished executive. He was a trusted advisor, mentor, teacher and champion of the people with whom he worked. His Vistage members, business colleagues, clients and mentees were an incredibly important part of his life. He took great pride in the connections he helped create, the businesses he helped build and the personal and professional growth he witnessed in others. Whether preparing an informative summary, researching a new subject, developing a training or creating an exercise to challenge someone’s thinking, Tom was always learning and sharing what he knew. He felt especially fortunate to have worked alongside so many talented, hardworking, like-minded people, many of whom became lifelong friends.
There are so many things that will be missed about Tom. His family affectionately called his unexpected nuggets of wisdom “Tom bombs.” He seemed to have a wealth of knowledge on nearly any subject, whether clinical, scientific, theological or something he had just learned about that morning. And if he didn’t know the answer, he was never afraid to offer a confident theory, or a little well-delivered BS. He was a master coordinator, always tracking a flight, a project, a job, a family update or the latest current event. He brought an unwavering calm, an optimistic outlook and a steady presence to every situation. His humor, often self-deprecating, his generosity, his curiosity and his deep and abiding faith made him uniquely Tom.
His family and friends will forever cherish memories of fly-fishing, golfing, celebrating his birthday at Disneyland each year, enjoying jazz music, traveling together and simply appreciating the beautiful and ordinary moments of life. Tom understood that the greatest blessings were often found in the people beside us and the experiences we shared with them. He lived a full and purposeful life, and he was truly blessed.
Tom was preceded in death by his mother, Mary; his father, Robert; his brother, Michael; and his sister, Margaret.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 43 years, Susan; his daughters, Carlon (Mason) and Erin (Lorenzo); his sons, Garrett (Molly) and Chet (Bre); his seven grandchildren, Sophie, Grace, Mayer, Chloe, Colette, Thomas and Livia; his sister, Mary Alice; his brother, Daniel; and many cherished extended family members, friends and colleagues.
Though his passing was unexpected, the impact of Tom’s life will be felt for generations. He leaves behind a family deeply loved, friendships that span a lifetime, people whose lives and careers are better because of him, and a legacy rooted in faith, service, curiosity, and generosity. He will be missed beyond measure, remembered with endless love and carried in the hearts and prayers of all who knew him.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to
The Morgan Family at
P.O. Box 2342 Sioux Falls, SD 57101.
For electronic contributions, please use Venmo @TheMorganFamily.
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