Floyd Junior Morgison of Perry, KS, a devoted family man, dedicated educator, and beloved coach passed away peacefully on January 14, 2026 at the age of 91. A man whose life was defined by the principles of perseverance, determination, and the power of teamwork, he leaves behind a legacy that lives on in the hundreds of lives he touched both in the classroom and on the court.
Born in Clay Center KS on October 29, 1934 to Emilie Bertha True and Floyd Victor Morgison, "Junior" learned the value of hard work and adversity early in life. He began working at a very young age setting pins at a local bowling alley in Clifton KS after school. At age 14, he began working during the summer months at the Lacita, KS grain elevator driving truckloads of grain and living with the owner’s family, away from his own. After graduating from Clifton Rural High School in 1952, he began working at Northern Natural Gas in Clifton. He was drafted into the US Army in May of 1957 and served with Company A, 47th Infantry Regiment for approximately 2 years with the majority of his time spent in Mainz, Germany. He faithfully continued to send his military pay home to his mother to help care for the family. After his discharge from the Army as a Specialist Fourth Class he enrolled at Kansas State University, where he graduated in May 1964 with a bachelor’s degree in Education. He later went on to earn his Masters degree from the Kansas State Teacher’s College in Emporia in 1969.
He married Janice Ann Cossaart on February 3,1964 at Danforth Chapel on the KSU campus. Their forever lifetime started in Silver Lake, KS with Floyd taking his first teaching job at the Elementary School and as an assistant girls basketball coach in the fall of 1964. They moved to St. Marys in the fall of 1968 where Floyd accepted the position as head basketball coach at the high school and teaching social studies. He led the St. Marys boys' basketball team to State during the 1970-71 season. After 4 years, Coach left the court to accept a position as the High School Principal in St. Marys, where he remained for two years. His love for coaching basketball was never lost, so he accepted a position at Perry Lecompton High School to be Head Coach for boys basketball, as well as teaching History, Government, and Social Studies. For the next 16 years, he would remain in that role, leading his early teams to 7 State of Kansas Basketball tournaments in an 8 year span, including a 4th place finish in 1975 and a 2nd place finish in 1980. His teams achieved 204 wins in his career with PLHS and he remains the winningest coach in school history. Coach Morgison earned the prestige of having the high school gymnasium being dedicated in his honor in 2007. To date, the gymnasium remains Floyd Morgison Court.
As an educator and mentor his role was more than just teaching; it was a training ground for life. He was known for his firm but fair expectations and didn't just coach athletes; he helped build character. Although basketball and teaching were the biggest aspects of his career, he is also credited for starting the golf program at PLHS in 1983. His final year coaching basketball at PLHS was in 1991, but he continued to teach, while he and Janice started a t-shirt printing business out of their home known as FloJam Graphics. In 1993, he retired from teaching, but soon returned to PLHS in 1997 as a Paraprofessional, mentoring students and assistance in the computer lab. He had a gift for seeing potential in students and continued to provide guidance to them until 2010 when he fully retired.
Floyd and Janice enjoyed playing golf together for many years and the passion for the game has been passed down to his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. His children have fond memories of spending weekends travelling around the state watching him play fast pitch softball, going fishing, visiting family, and working in the garden. They also recall that no matter where they went there was always someone they would run into that their Dad knew from his past - he never knew a stranger and had connections with many people.
Floyd is survived by his wife, Janice and his three children: Kevin (Tamra) Morgison, Perry, KS; Kelly (Doug) Miesner, Parkville, MO; and Kent (Jenny) Morgison, Lecompton KS. He was a grandfather to Kyle (Shelbie) Morgison, Rachel Heston, Sierra (Gavin) Swearngin, Emilie Heston, Jacob Morgison, and Conner Morgison. He was also blessed with six great grandchildren, with #7 on the way: Kayden, Kolt, Everett, Brynlee, Cort, and Lathe. He is also survived by a brother, Gary Morgison of Clay Center, KS. He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings: Onita Hauserman, Phyllis Kalivoda, Roy Morgison, Peggy Black, and Mary Ann Palmer.
Services will be held on January 24 at 10:00 am at the Perry United Methodist Church, 220 Oak Street, Perry KS 66073. Please feel free to wear your favorite K-State or PLHS gear. Visitation for family and friends will be held on January 24 from 11:00 am - 2:00 pm in the Kaw Room, 203 W Bridge Street, Perry KS 66073. In honor of his lifelong commitment to education, the family requests in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Floyd Morgison Family Endowment Fund. Barnett Family Funeral Home, Oskaloosa is assisting the family. barnettfamilyfh.com
