A Celebration of Life will be held at 9:30am, Saturday, August 27th at Calvary Chapel Living Hope, Oceanside for Ernie Morgan, who passed away suddenly of a heart attack, on June 23rd while surfing his home break, North Jetty Oceanside.

Ernest O. Morgan III, 71, was born June 14, 1945 in Sentinel, Oklahoma, moved to California in 1957, and graduated from Westminster High in 1963. He received his BA from UC San Diego, and his MA from Mills College. Ernie taught music to elementary school children in the San Diego City Schools for over twenty years. He retired in 2003, but continued his love of teaching by substituting for the VAPA Music Department. He had brought his sense of humor and musical skills to many throughout his life. Ernie was a member of various pop bands which included Island Society, Melting Pot, Strawberry Alarm Clock, and others. He played saxophone.Ernie was an avid surfer almost his entire life. He was a member of the original Long Beach Surf Club (1963) and Blackie's Classics Longboard Association, Newport Beach (1986). A lifetime sailor, he lived on his boat, Karma Phala, for 42 years with his wife Mary of 31 years. He was a member of the "A Dock" family in Oceanside Harbor for all those years. Not only was Ernie passionate about cars, music, sailing and surfing, but in 1996, after a major car accident, Ernie made Jesus Christ the focus of his life, and made Calvary Chapel Living Hope, Oceanside his home church. He loved the Lord with all his heart.

He is survived by his loving wife of 31 years and sweetheart, Mary. They met in 1977 while Ernie was teaching guitar, Mary was one of his students. He is also survived by many cousins, and preceded in death by both parents, and both brothers.

If you wish to make a donation in Ernie's memory, please send to The Sheepfold of Orange County at thesheepfold.org, or St. Jude's Research Hospital at stjude.org.