Morgan was born May 17th, 1951, in St. Louis, Missouri. In 1973, he graduated from the University of Missouri with a Bachelor's degree in journalism. Morgan served as an information officer in the United States Air Force and worked as a social aide to Presidents Nixon and Ford. He went on to hold positions at the Miami Herald, the Washington Post and the New York Times, where he worked as a reporter, editor and business manager.

In 1983, Morgan came on board with the National Association of Black Journalists as its Treasurer. From 1989 to 1991, Morgan served as the first openly gay president of the NABJ. Morgan was worried that he might lose the faith of the NABJ's supporters or staff. During the election to become the president of NABJ Morgan said, "I struggled with how to represent NABJ without embarrassing the organization but while also being true to myself." Many members of the NABJ had mixed feelings about having an openly gay president. When opposition openly doubted that he would be able to keep the good standing of the NABJ, Morgan stated, "I was elected as a black journalist, not a gay one."

Morgan, who was HIV positive, retired in 1994 to focus on his health. Morgan stayed very active in different LGBT organizations and served as a board member for the Gay Men's Health Crisis and Care for the Homeless. In 2005, Morgan helped create NABJ's LGBT Task Force, and was inducted into the LGBT Journalists Hall of Fame by the National Gay & Lesbian Journalists Association.

The New York Times honored Morgan with the Thomas Morgan Internships in Graphics, Design and Photography program. Also, Morgan was honored with a Nieman Fellowship by Harvard University.

Marcus Mabry, the first chair of NABJ's LGBT Task Force, says of Thomas, "We were blessed to know Tom, and when we talk about standing on the shoulders of those who came before us, we mean Tom. In a very real literal way, we are here thanks to him."

NABJ President Sidmel Estes-Sumpter, the first female president, also credits Morgan with pioneering for women to rise to top posts within the organization.

Thomas Morgan III is survived by his partner of 23 years, Thomas Ciano, and three brothers.

This is a blow to the Media world and we here at GBMNews.com are sad to see another Gay Black man leave us before his time. Our condolences go out to his partner, friends and family. This man cut through red tape for gay black journalists and we need to celebrate his life. We will miss you Thomas Morgan III. Thank you for all your contributions to us as a people. We can learn from you and lead the way you did. God bless and keep you.