Bartel Morgan was born March 1, 1937 in Beaumont, Texas, and died at home in Cypress in God's good timing. He started at Rice U, received BS and MS degrees in Petroleum Engineering from UT Austin and worked 36 years in the oil business as a Reservoir Engineer. His career carried him and his family to many places, including Ventura, CA, Philadelphia, PA & Caracas, Venezuela.

In 1965 he was assigned to Corpus Christi where he lived as a teenager. Beverly and Bartel wound up as neighbors where he met the kids, George, Susan, Sam and David (ages 8 to 14). After a whirlwind courtship, 29 lonely years came to a happy beginning. They married on April 16, 1966.

The family moved to Ventura, CA in 1968, where the children grew up. Raising kids in a CA beach town in the 60's was hard. The year he had four teenagers living under his roof, difficult relationships and tensions were tearing the family apart. Bartel got down on his knees and said, "Lord, I don't know what all I believe about the Bible, but whatever it takes, I'm yours." From then on, he experienced steady spiritual growth.

The children grew up and started families of their own. Various assignments led Bartel and Beverly to Houston in December, 1984. At Bear Creek Community Church, Beverly played the piano and Bartel became an elder. In the spring of 1993, they moved to Cypress Bible Church, where they served together in many ministries (Choir, Stephen Ministry and Grief-Share). Bartel served as an elder for seven years, helping to shepherd the church through some difficult times. He learned his gift is not leadership, but encouragement, and began mentoring young adults.

Bartel lived to see all four of his children reach maturity and prosper in their chosen areas of life with their chosen partners. He had three grandchildren and one great grandson. Bartel had a long, good, rich life, filled with many pleasures, a precious wife, great family, warm friends, an Abundant Life with the Risen Lord and Hope for Eternal Glory. He would wish the same for you.