John Morehead passes away Sunday

John H. Morehead, Richardson County Bank & Trust Co. President of nearly 40 years, passed away Sunday morning, April 12, 2015 at Falls City Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, where he had lived the past several months after his health had declined. He was 87. 

Private family services will be held at a later date. 

Mr. Morehead first became associated with RCB&T in Falls City in 1958, following a brief career as a Special Agent for the Federal Bureau of Investigation on the east coast. Within just four years at RCB&T, in 1962, he was elected President of the bank and throughout almost all of four decades, up until his retirement in 2011, Mr. Morehead served in various other capacities, including CEO and Chairman of the Board. 

He was far more than a successful banker, however. Mr. Morehead was an exceptional trap shooter – winning at both the state and national levels, he was a civic-minded and generous philanthropist, a military veteran, a brilliant scholar who earned two law degrees in just five years of college, a husband of nearly 60 years, a father of five, grandfather of 16 and, yes, even a Special Agent. It was during his time with the FBI when he met his wife, Amalia P. Pizzagalli, in Burlington, VT. After completing his training in Washington, D.C. and Quantico, VA, Mr. Morehead’s first assignment was in Burlington. They were married there on Sept. 10, 1955. In just five months John and Amalia would’ve celebrated their 60thwedding anniversary. 

He was born on June 17, 1927 at Falls City to the late Edwin J. and Anna G. (Gist) Morehead. The grandson of a Nebraska Governor and U.S. Congressman, John was raised at Falls City and graduated from Falls City High School in 1945 and was drafted into the military. Following his honorable discharge from the Air Force in September of 1947, he enrolled at the University of Nebraska, graduating from UNL with degrees in Law and International Law in 1952.

 Shortly after their 1955 marriage, the FBI transferred John to New York City, where he and Mrs. Morehead lived until 1958, when he resigned from the Bureau and moved home to Falls City. 

He was involved in many civic activities during the course of his career. He received the Jaycee Distinguished Service Award in 1959. He served many years as president of Downtown Modernization, Inc., an entity founded and funded by local business persons and dedicated to downtown retailing.

He is survived by his wife, Amalia P. Morehead, of Falls City; children, Marc (Marcia) Morehead, of Falls City, Karen (Kirk) Stevenson, of Chicago, Kristine (Michael) Cain, of Omaha, Bruce (Karen) Morehead, of Denver, and Amalia (Richard) LaViolette, of St. Louis, MO; a sister, Carol Stebbins, of Helena, MT; 16 grandchildren; 13 nieces and nephews. 

Mr. Morehead was preceded in death by his parents; and a brother, Kenneth, on March 11, 2000.

For those who wish, donations in his memory may be made to family choice, which will be included in a scholarship fund which the family has established for Richardson County students. Donations may be mailed to the family.

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