The Morris Frank Park officially reopened on Wednesday, April 1, as community members, city leaders, and the Frank family gathered to celebrate a legacy deeply rooted in Lufkin’s history.

Hosted by the City of Lufkin and Lufkin Parks & Recreation, the ribbon cutting marked more than just the reopening of a park. It was a meaningful moment of reflection on the life and impact of Morris Frank, known to many as the “Sage of Lufkin.”

A highlight of the ceremony was a heartfelt speech from Morris Frank’s great-grandson, Will Porter, who shared stories that brought both laughter and perspective to the occasion.

Porter opened with gratitude for the city and community, noting how much it meant to the family to see Morris Frank’s legacy preserved in a place designed to bring people together.

Blending humor with history, he reflected on Frank’s early roots in Lufkin, where his father built a life through hard work and perseverance, eventually opening a dry goods store that shaped Morris’s upbringing. It was here that Frank developed his voice, one that would later carry him into a decades-long career in journalism, broadcasting, and public speaking.

Porter shared how a chance encounter after a Lufkin Panthers football game led Morris Frank to his first column, setting the stage for a 40-year career that would connect him with audiences across the country.

But beyond the accolades, the speech centered on what truly defined Morris Frank: his ability to connect with people from all walks of life.

“He made friends of Presidents and peons, ballplayers and batboys,” Porter shared, describing a man who treated everyone with the same warmth and humor.

Whether exchanging letters, encouraging colleagues, or greeting strangers with his signature “Howdy Cuz,” Frank built what one speaker later described as a “library of kindness.”

His love for sports and community made the naming of this park especially fitting. From covering local games in his early career to becoming a recognized voice in sports journalism, Frank believed in the power of sports to unite people and strengthen communities.

As Porter concluded, he left attendees with a message that perfectly captured the spirit of both the man and the moment:

“So in the spirit of the man who loved this town, who loved sports, and who loved people most of all ... let’s play ball.”

The reopening of Morris Frank Park stands as a tribute not only to a remarkable individual but to the values that continue to shape Lufkin today: connection, community, and a genuine love for people.

As families, friends, and future generations gather in this space, they will do more than enjoy a park. They will carry forward a legacy that reminds us all of the impact one life can have.