Keri Morgan

One of Keri’s most exceptional days was when she received her new lungs, but that didn’t make the top three best days of her life. She proclaimed that best days are awarded to the days her three kids were born. Keri loved most being a mother. In fact, when Jody was born two weeks late Keri couldn’t wait to meet him and Mike wore his scrubs out to breakfast so everyone would know he was a dad. They spent their marriage loving their life as the parents of Jody, Cache and Majerle. 

Keri Jean (Hood) Morgan was born December 31st, 1959. She was the 3rd child to Paul and Joyce Hood. She has an older sister, Kay, and older brother, Kevin. As the baby of the family, Keri would often go with her mom in the family’s 1956 Ford to go get a soda. Keri’s first words were “Coke” and “Chocolate.” Her grandfather, Ken, had nicknamed her ‘Chocolate Drop’ by the time she turned three.

Keri grew up in the Cottonwood Heights area. She was always involved in school and in 9th grade she was the student body president of Butler Junior High. Her lifelong love, Mike, knew his life was about to change when he realized his locker was next to hers. He knew who she was, but when Keri said, “Your name is Mike, right?” he felt special. Keri and Mike Morgan became junior high sweethearts and dated all through high school at Brighton High. On July 30, 1981, they were married. Keri said that she loved Mike because “he believes what he believes” and “he always smells good”. They were married for 43 years.

Her children -Jody, Cache, and Majerle- said that Keri was the kind of mom that would answer any phone call of theirs and respond to any message. She loved hearing about what they were doing in their lives and was their biggest cheerleader. 

Keri’s career centered around the mortgage business. She started at Zions Bank and was highly sought after as her reputation as an underwriter increased throughout the area. Keri worked right up to the point of her lung transplant at Veritas in 2021. 

In addition to loving her life as a mom, Keri’s passion was being a football coach’s wife. Mike was the head coach and Keri was his assistant. She made sure that life at home ran smoothly and she attended every single game he coached after which she invited the whole coaching staff and their families back to her home for a full spread of meats, cheeses and of course her specialty: dips! Her guilty pleasures included eating chocolate peanut clusters and watching Dancing with the Stars. Their family traveled to Hawaii several times and loved anywhere there was a beach. For the past three years of her life, the name Keri chose to call herself was “Nana.” The birth of her two granddaughters increased the joy she felt in her life. 

Mike said that the University of Utah Hospital was the best of times and the worst of times. This is where Keri received her new set of lungs on June 26th, 2021 and where her life ended on the bright, sunny afternoon of October 6th, 2024 surrounded by all of her family. She leaves behind an army of people who love and miss her including her husband Mike, children and grandchildren Jody & Bre, Scout, and Perri, Cache & Kassie, and Majerle & Anthony, her siblings, her nieces and nephews and her dearest friends. She was welcomed to heaven by her parents, Paul & Joyce. 

The family would like to thank all of the nurses including Jen, doctors including Dr. Cahill and the rest of the amazing staff including Zach and Witt for their love and kindness they showed Keri during her hospital stay.

In lieu of flowers, consider becoming an organ donor or making a donation to the University of Utah Transplant Center.

There will be a viewing on October 18th from 9:30-10:30 at Memorial Mountain View Mortuary located at 3115 Bengal Blvd., Cottonwoods Heights, 84121. A graveside service will follow afterwards. Dress is casual.

Starting at noon, family and friends are invited to a celebration of Keri’s life at the LDS ward house located at 1830 East 6400 South. 

Breathe easy Keri. We love you more than the big blue whale.