LEBANON, NH—Dr. Kenneth C. Morley, Jr., M.D., of Lebanon, NH passed away on Saturday, February 23, in his home surrounded by his family after his long battle with cancer. He was born in Orange, New Jersey on June 22, 1934, son of Virginia Hinds and Kenneth Morley, Sr.

Ken attended Brown University from 1952-56, and upon their graduation day, he married Priscilla Clute with whom he had six children. He attended Boston University Medical School in 1956-60, and then Ken completed his surgical Internship at New York Presbyterian, Columbia University Medical Center in 1961. Ken served in the US Navy from 1961-64, as a Naval Medical Officer including serving on the USS Tanner in the Barents Sea. From 1964-72, Ken and his family lived in Alpine, New Jersey where he was employed as a surgeon at Englewood Hospital and Medical Center.

In 1972, Ken moved to Brownsville, Vermont. He joined Mt Ascutney Hospital in Windsor, Vermont, and married Jean Rooney (d.2017). Ken also joined an existing surgical practice at Valley Regional Hospital in Claremont, New Hampshire, with Dr. Bob Maxfield, and later joined by Dr. Volker Bradley.

In 1975, Ken and Jean had a son, raising the Morley total to seven children. The family maintained a small gentleman's farm consisting of wandering sheep, cows, chickens, horses, pigs, and two enormous vegetable gardens. The Morleys' arrival nearly doubled the enrollment of the Brownsville four-room schoolhouse, guaranteed the chairlifts were full at the ski area, and of course, Ken appreciated his amazing neighbors who helped in generous ways as the kids grew up.

"Doc" could be seen on the sidelines of many sporting events over the years and was often called onto the field for impromptu medical care. As one of the few doctors for miles around, Ken was also known to welcome folks into his home for "office visits," or he'd travel to make house calls. To this day, Ken's home still has beautiful handmade ceramic bowls, woolen blankets, and framed artwork from the many who appreciated his services. These handicrafts complement his own built-to-scale model wooden boats, complete with working engines, and his basement-size O-gauge Lionel train layout; all of which provided hours of entertainment during their building, admiring, and enjoyment for all.

After retiring from medicine in 1999, Ken moved to Lebanon, New Hampshire and began his "second career" as a volunteer member on the Lebanon City Planning Board, 2000-2018. Ken loved sharing his passions of living in northern New England, applying his analytic skills to challenging issues, and assisting others to have the opportunity to raise their families in a safe, accessible, and nurturing area. Ken could also be found enjoying his retirement at his summer camp on Goose Pond, in Canaan, New Hampshire, where he loved to motor slowly along the shore and wave to his neighbors. He also loved time at the ocean in York, Maine with his family.

Ken is survived by his seven children: Craig Morley, Lebanon, New Hampshire; Robyn Carey, Greenwood, Maine; Kenneth Morley, III, Lebanon, New Hampshire; Christopher Morley (and Anne Yates), Brownsville, Vermont; Jonathan Morley, Bentonville, Virginia; Meredyth Morley, Fairlee, Vermont; Scott Morley (and Britni), Butler, New Jersey; his sister Ann Williard (and Kell), York, Maine; his step-brothers Robert Batting (and Joan), Barrington, Rhode Island; Doug Batting (and Barbara), Fair Haven, New Jersey; and pre-deceased by Bill (and Sue) Batting; and Ken's grandchildren, Cameron, Nicholas, Mitchell (d.1991), Alexandra, Theodore, Connor, Paxton, Peyton, Mazie, Juniper, and several nieces and nephews.

Visiting hours will be held Saturday, March 2 at Knight Funeral Home,  903 Hartford Avenue, White River Junction, Vermont at 2-4PM and 6-8PM. A service celebrating his life will be held Sunday, March 3 at the Greater Hartford United Church of Christ, UCC in Hartford Village at 2PM, followed by a reception. Condolences may be expressed to Doc's family in an online guestbook at www.knightfuneralhomes.com.

In lieu of flowers, please consider contributing in memory to one of these organizations: Mt Ascutney Hospital and Health Center; Visiting Nurse and Hospice for VT and NH; Bugbee Senior Center.