SHELBYVILLE, Tenn. - The Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration mourns the passing of Director Emeritus Morgan Lorance.

Lorance, 85, died at his home Friday morning in Shelbyville. Funeral Services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at First United Methodist Church. A private burial will be held at Riverside Cemetery in Woodbury, TN.

Lorance served on The Celebration Board of Directors for 15 years, including a term as chairman. "Mr. Lorance was chairman of the Board of Directors when I started with The Celebration," said Celebration CEO Ron Thomas. "My early years (in this position) were influenced by his work ethic and attention to detail and organization. For that reason, he will always hold a special place with me. He was an extremely fine man that was a true supporter of The Celebration, Shelbyville, and Bedford County. He will be missed." In 1991, Lorance was bestowed the highest honor that is given by The Celebration when he was inducted into the TWHNC Hall of Fame. "Although we never served on the board together, I've gotten to know Mr. Lorance very well over the years," said Celebration Board Chairman Pat Marsh. "He once told me that being on the board is a bigger honor than you can ever imagine. He truly loved The Celebration."

A Warren County native, he is survived by his wife, Marjorie Milligan Lorance, to whom he was married for 61 years. He was a retired executive and energy management consultant with Duck River Electric Membership Corp. Mr. Lorance was a long-time member of the Shelbyville Rotary Club, a former president of the club and a former governor of Rotary International District 6780. A member of First United Methodist Church for over 50 years, Lorance was a graduate of the University of Tennessee and a World War II veteran of the U.S. Army Air Force. He was a member of American Legion Post #23 in Shelbyville. In addition to his wife, he is survived by two daughters, Susan Patterson of Charlotte, NC, and Carol Kathrana of Houston, TX; a brother, Arthur Lorance of Centertown; two grandchildren and two step-grandchildren. Visitation with the family will be from 4-7 p.m. Sunday at Feldhaus Memorial Chapel. Memorial contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church or to Hospice of the Highland Rim.