Roll Call Tribute

Source unknown

Remembering Kathy Harris Morgan, a lovable veteran of Houston's real estate industry

Houston's homebuilding and development industry lost one of its longest-serving and most lovable professionals when Kathy Harris Morgan passed away on May 21, following a struggle with cancer and the complications that followed. She was at peace at the end and didn't suffer. The GHBA extends its most sincere condolences to her family and friends.

Kathy's 24-year career in real estate marketing began in 1991 with a five-year stint at Goswick & Associates, then the region's largest ad agency specializing in real estate. Many still remember Kathy for her leading role in creating an award-winning ad campaign featuring cartoon characters for Newmark Homes. Kathy later joined Trendmaker Homes in 1996, where she served as marketing director. Her accomplishments at Trendmaker included launching its successful and long-running "Leader in Affordable Luxury" rebranding campaign. Kathy entered the land development side in 2003, joining Midway Residential to serve as director of marketing for its 2,100-acre Spring Trails development.

Kathy set out on her own in 2007, forming Morgan Potter Marketing with her longtime friend and colleague Lorna Potter. In four years, the firm created and implemented many successful campaigns for homebuilders and residential land developers. In 2011, Kathy entered another facet of the business, signing on as marketing manager for enTouch Systems, Inc. In 2012, EnTouch named her as Employee of the Year for helping to increase sales by 23 percent.

Kathy was a longstanding and active member of the Greater Houston Builders Association, serving as president of the Sales & Marketing Council and chair of the Media & Marketing Task Force, among numerous other positions. She graduated magna cum laude from Texas A&M University in 1976 with a degree in journalism. In 1972, she graduated from Arlington Heights High School in Fort Worth, where she was a drum majorette. She was also editor of the high school newspaper, and one of her many accomplishments was interviewing Bob Hope.

She is survived by her son, James Morgan Harris, relatives, dear friends and colleagues who miss her trademark humor, warmth and authenticity.

Shortly following the news that she had passed, Kathy's Facebook page was filled with moving tributes from friends and colleagues. "The world has lost a great friend, animal lover and mother today. Kathy had such a great sense of humor and a wonderful outlook," one friend wrote. "I had the pleasure of working with Kathy for several years. We shared an office and kept each other in stitches all day," wrote another. " Another wrote: "A precious friend to many with a heart and laugh as big as she was."

Kathy's close friend Cindy McGee shared these lyrics from "Silver Taps," a ceremony they attended many times together during their years at Texas A&M:

Day is done
Gone the sun
From the hills
From the lake
From the skies.
All is well
Safely rest
God is nigh.
See you at Muster.