Community members are mourning the loss of one of Prince George's most beloved residents after longtime First Baptist Church Rev. Lance Morgan died Friday night.

Morgan held several honours in Prince George, including being named Citizen of the Year in 1984, a Freeman of the city in 1988 and the city's honorary chaplain in 2001. He was also honoured by the Baptist Union of Western Canada for holding the longest period of service by a pastor - 36 years.

The Jamaican-born Morgan arrived in the city in 1962 with wife Pat to take over the struggling Central Baptist Church congregation. Under Morgan's leadership, the church - whose building was about to be condemned and congregation disbanded - was rebuilt and thrived until his 1998 retirement.

He was a founding director of the Project Friendship Society, an avid photographer and all-around bon vivant who was said to bring smiles wherever he went.

"He was really a people's person," said former city councillor and fellow Citizen of the Year Shirley Gratton. "He was loved by so many."

Funeral arrangements for Morgan have not yet been finalized.