MORGAN LEE CAPPS
9/12/1987 – 10/9/2025
With his radiant smile, Morgan was easy to like – genuine, courageous, accepting, curious, giving, and clever. He defied most norms to be his authentic self. He carved out a simpler, joyful life by living in the present.
He modeled a refreshing alternative for those around him, as captured in this quote:
”No amount of regret changes the past,
no amount of anxiety changes the future,
any amount of gratitude changes the present.”
-
Ann Voskamp
Or this song:
”Don’t worry, be happy”
Or in his words:
”It’s all good!”
He found joy in everything. Overtime, you couldn’t help but join him in an adventure and shift into the present.
“It’s not how long you are here, but what you make of the time you have.”
He lived more in one year than many live in ten …by eliminating administrivia!
Perhaps some of his philosophy and grit was born out of his struggle with addiction, and a few near-death experiences.
Defying the odds, he overcame them and guided others with his accepting and nonjudgmental nature.
He was in a loving relationship with Cherise and a father figure to her children, Max and Metzli, who adored him and vice versa. His partner will miss him with a ferocity that matched his love for life. “I love you Babycakes.”
He was a brother to many and a fierce protector of his flock. He would drop everything to help family or friends.
Morgan enjoyed being an electronics technician at General Atomics, and his other passions spanned from piloting to motorcycling, skiing, hiking, camping and helping others with their odd jobs. People often called upon “Morgan the Tornado” for projects requiring ingenuity, brute force and speed with what his friend coined, “the energy of a thousand hummingbirds.”
He was a guy with unabashed style: multi-colored hair, tattoos, red pants, native American prints, and definitely loud colors.
He lived a thrilling life, moving full throttle and exited like a stallion; doing what he loved with those he loved. As his mother said, “loving him was like riding a bronco.”
Now, ironically, Morgan, who forgot to water his plants, will become “Essence of Life” water, for family and friends to spread in parks and gardens. When you pass a lovely bloom or stroll under the arms of a shady tree, it could be Morgan beaming down on you with his full-on, handsome smile.
He is survived by Kathryn O’Neil-Capps (mother), Gail Unell (aunt) and husband James, Jacklyn O’Neil (aunt), Amber Rivera (cousin), James J. Unell (cousin), Jessica Unell (cousin). His half siblings: Mary Capps Tobin, Larry Capps, Becky Capps Howley and husband Robert, Pat Capps-Lord (deceased) and Husband Kevin, Scott Capps and wife Aundrea Capps.
His family: Cherise Turner (partner), his “stepchildren” Max and Metzli, and his “in-laws” Silvia and Omar Garcia.
In lieu of flowers or gifts, donations can be made to support Morgan’s deep love of nature in which he immersed himself.
I am without meaningful words, my heart aches along with his loved ones, as I too know the pain.
May God lift your spirits in this time of grief, He is not gone, just passed from our world to the next.
I am standing on a busy wharf. A ship at my side spreads her white sails to the morning breeze and starts out upon the ocean. She is an object of beauty and strength, and I stand there watching her until, at length, she hangs like a speck of white cloud just where the blue sea and the blue sky mingle with each other as one. Then someone at my side says, “There! She is gone.”
Gone where? Gone from my sight, that is all. She is just as large in mast and hull and spar as she was when she left my side, and just as able to bear her load of living freight to the place of her destination. Her diminished size is in me, not in her. And just at the moment when someone at my side is saying, “There, She is gone,” there are other eyes watching her coming, and other souls take up the glad shout, “Here she comes!” And that is dying.
Life is eternal; Love is immortal; and death is only a horizon, and a horizon is nothing save the limit of our sight.
Thanks, Kimo. That is beautiful!
I know and love his mom, Cassie, and his Aunt Jackie, two finer women you will never meet. It sounds like Morgan, who I never had the privilege of meeting, absorbed their zest, their un matched decency, and their focus on all that is good, in nature and in family and friends. What a gift he is to them, not was, but is. Know of my care,
Jones.
Thanks so much, Cindy!!
Morgan truly had a zest for life and lived it to the fullest
Yes he did, Joanne. I will carry it forward as best as I can.
People will say, “I’ll see you again one day;” I say, “I’ll see you again every day.” I’m proud to be your brother, Morg.
❤️ I’m glad you two got to reconnect after so many years
My dearest, sweetest, kindest, realest love.
I cannot express how much I will miss your smile, your voice, your smell, your kisses, and your cuddles. You showed me what true love is and how it feels. Thank you for being you. Thank you for loving me and my babies. You are the best man I have ever met and no one will ever, ever compare to you. You will always have my heart. Tu eres mi vida, mi alma, y mi sol. Te amo mi corazon.
❤️
Morgan you were the youngest cousin out of all of us even though I haven’t seen you since you were about 5 I never forgot about u and wishing I would have got to know you better but my love for you never changed you are my family, all the comments I read I knew you grew up to be a beautiful person and you will truly will be missed Rest Well Cousin we love and will miss you
I echo what my friend Cindy said. I never met Morgan but can see that he was a “light of this world.” I hope that light continues to shine for Cass and others who love him.
Morgan was a free sprit with a contagious smile. Morgan was his Mother’s heart and soul. He will be sorely missed by many.
Regards to his amazing family.❤️
I am so sorry to hear this. You all have my deepest condolences.
Oh Cassie, I am so sorry to hear about Morgan. I know you were very close. He sounds like a wonderful person and a delightful free spirit. From reading the above, it sounds like he brought joy and love and “hummingbird energy” to those around him, and he made the world a better place. May you have many good memories and may you feel his spirit going forward.
Morgan,
You were like a son to me, and, boy, did you enrich me and stretch me to be more:
-present
-accepting
-unabashed
-genuine
-appreciative
Know that you made a difference…made me a better person!
I’ll miss you, carry you in my heart, and embody your many valuable lessons.
Love,
Aunt Jackie
I am so sorry to hear this. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.
Such a free spirit, may he rest in peace! It sounds like he lived life to the fullest! I am so sorry for your loss, Cassie (and family and friends)!
Morgan and I first met on the paintball field. At first, we were rivals—both competitive and athletic—so there was a bit of tension between us. But halfway through the day, he walked right up to me with that big smile of his and started talking. From that moment on, we were best friends.
We quickly realized how much we had in common, and it wasn’t long before our friendship felt more like a brotherhood. We’d text every week to make sure we’d be at the field on the same day, set up next to each other, and laugh between games. Morgan always had my back—on and off the field. My little brother played with us too, and Morgan looked out for him like he was his own. I’ll never forget the time I got into an argument with another player and Morgan immediately stepped in to calm things down, reminding me that you never know what someone else is going through and it’s better to just let it go.
We stayed up until 2 a.m. playing video games more times than I can count. Later, when he joined my moving company, he brought that same amazing energy and enthusiasm to work every day. Everyone loved having him around. I’ll never forget one morning when someone no-showed and I called Morgan to see if he could fill in on his day off. He dropped everything, found a babysitter for the kids, showed up within the hour—and even brought me breakfast because he knew I hadn’t eaten. That was just who he was: reliable, selfless, and thoughtful.
When Morgan moved back to Colorado, I was worried distance would get in the way of our friendship—but it didn’t. He kept in touch every week, updating me on his adventures and checking in to make sure I was doing okay.
Out of all the friends I’ve been lucky to have, Morgan was truly the best. He was loving, kind, caring, and full of joy. He shed so much light on my path, and I’ll never forget him. We may not be blood, but he’ll always be my big brother for life.
Morgan, I never had the chance to meet you but thank you for your spirit and the beautiful memories you leave those who were around you. They are eternal.
My deepest sympathies to you & your families dear Cassie. May your wonderful memories comfort
you. Such a free spirit, may he rest in peace! 🙏🏻