Clarence Harley Morgan, age 81, of Hot Springs, SD, passed away May 17, 2012, at Rapid City Regional Hospital in Rapid City, SD.

He was born November 14, 1930, to Harley and Leota (Franks) Morgan in Mitchell, SD, while his mother was visiting relatives, but he spent the first 18 years of his life on a ranch and farm north of Midland, SD. He was the youngest of 12 children, he attended county school at near Kirley, SD. He had five brothers in the Second World War and he was in the Korean War. He was in Japan when the war broke out, and spent time between Japan and Korea for 38 months all together. He came to the states in November 1952 and spent about 8 months at San Luis Obispo, CA as 1st Sgt of a Signal Corp Company. When they moved to Ft. Hood, TX, Clarence put in for the Army Communications in the Pentagon, he was a T/Sgt First Class and this was where he met his wife, Betty Lou. She was also in the Army and worked in the Pentagon. After both received honorable discharges they were married in Betty's hometown Westminster, MD.

Clarence worked as a Civilian Supervisor at the Pentagon for a short period and then they decided to move back to South Dakota. Clarence worked at the Veterans Administration in Hot Springs for 27 years, he retired as a Capitan in the fire department.

Clarence was very active in the American Legion and held many offices, local and state.

Survivors include his children, Deborah Jonas of Las Vegas, NV; Kathy (Mat) Steffen of Hot Springs; Michael (Cindy) Morgan of Rapid City, SD; brother, James Morgan of Minneapolis, MN; sister, Leona Dryden of Oelrichs, SD and six grandchildren.

Clarence was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Lou Morgan; his parents; and nine brothers and sisters.

Visitation will be held at McColley's Chapel in Hot Springs at 5:00 until 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, May 22, 2012.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, May 23, 2012 at McColley's Chapel of the Hills in Hot Springs with Pastor Morris Nelson officiating.

Burial will be at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, May 23, 2012, at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis, SD.

In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established in Clarence's name to benefit the American Legion in Hot Springs and the American Cancer Society.

Arrangements have been placed in the care of McColley's Chapel of the Hills in Hot Springs. Written condolences may be made to www.mccolleyschapels.com.