Hugh William Morehead, Jr.

Hugh William Morehead, Jr., 90 years old, of Milan, Missouri, passed away Wednesday, November 20, 2019 at Sullivan County Memorial Hospital in Milan. Hugh was born on a farm, 4 miles east of Milan on October 13, 1929, to Hugh Sr. and Clio (Wilson) Morehead. On January 5, 1958 he married Joy Lea (Barbee) Morehead, to this marriage four children were born. Survivors include: his children, Stan Morehead and wife Shelly of Milan, John Daniel Morehead and wife Lauria of Warsaw, Missouri, Sherry Brinkley and husband Jim of Milan, and Bridgett White (Dennis Shepherd) of Milan; 10 grandchildren, Josh Morehead, Jeremy Morehead, Tyler Morehead, Nathan Morehead, Nikki Eddy, Dakota Morehead, Crystal Bupp, Justin Brinkley, Derick White, and Colton White; 8 great grandchildren, Cole Morehead, Myles Morehead, Kaden Watkins, Dre Morehead, Tate Morehead, Chloe Brinkley, Brae Brinkley, and Ayden Brinkley; one sister, Judy Kay of Walnut, Iowa; and several nieces and nephews. Hugh was preceded in death by: His parents; brothers, John Morehead and Tom Morehead; and wife, Joy. Hugh rode his horse to Payne School, and graduated from High School at Milan in 1947. In 1949, he went to Reisch School of Auctioneering in Mason City, Iowa. In 1953, he graduated from Reppert School of Auctioneering in Decatur, Indiana. In 1954, he started selling calf and yearling sales sponsored by Missouri University and Arkansas University in Northern Arkansas, continuing until 1962. He sold sales in North Missouri and Southern Iowa, then purchased ½ interest in Unionville Livestock Auction with Robert Norris in 1959. Also from 1958 to 1974 he sold Chicago Stocker Feeder Auction. He later sold his ½ interest in the Unionville Livestock Auction to Robert Norris. Hugh and his brother, Tom Morehead purchased the Milan Livestock Auction in 1960 from their father and Uncle Bob Morehead, operating it until 1968 when they sold the business to Ray Olsen. In 1968 he went to work selling at the K.C. Stockyard Stocker and Feeder Auction. In 1976, Hugh along with a commission firm purchased K.C. Stockyards and continued until 1988 when Hugh sold his interest. In November of 1998, he went to work buying cattle with Craig Kissinger and Red Baldwin for R-Lazy-K Feed Lots in Glenvil, Nebraska, continuing until 2016. Hugh served on the K.C. Stockyard Executive Board of Directors, and was the President of the Missouri Auctioneer Associating for two terms. After retiring Hugh spent his afternoons playing pitch at Swearengen’s. A Mass of Christian Burial for Hugh William Morehead, Jr., 90, of Milan, will be held 11:00 AM, Saturday, November 23, 2019 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Milan. Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery. A visitation is scheduled for Friday evening, 5:00 to 7:00 PM, with a rosary service at 7:00 PM, at Schoene-Ruschmeier Funeral Home in Milan. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Sullivan County Memorial Hospital Foundation.