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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Sunday, December 30, 2007

Sugar exec, art patron James 'Bud' Morgan, 89

 •  Obituaries

By Mike Leidemann
Advertiser Staff Writer

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

James F. "Bud" Morgan, circa 1975, when he worked for Alexander & Baldwin Inc.

Advertiser library photo

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James F. "Bud" Morgan, a former sugar industry executive and art patron in Hawai'i, died Dec. 29. He was 89.

Morgan, who was born and raised in Honolulu, worked as a plantation manager for Alexander & Baldwin and McBryde Sugar Co. and later headed the firm of McCabe Hamilton & Renny.

He was a major supporter of arts in Hawai'i and an artist in his own right, said longtime friend Thurston Twigg-Smith.

"He was a man of many interests," including running, sailing, photography and printmaking, Twigg-Smith said.

Morgan was a graduate of Punahou School and Cornell University and served in the U.S. Army in Italy during World War II.

He was a member of the first Hawai'i State Ethics Committee from 1968 to 1971, and served as president of the Hawai'i Opera Theater and Contemporary Art Museum. He also was instrumental in building the homeless shelter now known as the Institute for Human Services.

In 1973, he accompanied Advertiser columnist Bob Krauss and others on a walk around the Big Island, following the path taken by three missionaries in 1823. His photographs of that journey illustrate a book written by Krauss.

Morgan is survived by his wife of 63 years, Lila; daughter, Martha; sons, Paul, Philip and Peter; sister, Laura Ann Daisy; and nine grandchildren.

Services will be held at 11 a.m. Jan. 5 at the Parish of St. Clement Episcopal church in Makiki. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Contemporary Museum or the Institute for Human Services.

Reach Mike Leidemann at mleidemann@honoluluadvertiser.com.

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