It's 1976 and my sister, Kathy, and I were driving down Division in Arlington and saw that the Log Cabin Antique shop was open.  We did a U turn in the middle of the street and hurried inside.  We met this extremely friendly shopkeeper who just happened to be open that particular day.  After looking over all his wares, I decided to purchase a dry sink.  Memory says that it was under $100.   That was my first meeting of the friend I came to know as Mack Morgan. I brought my “find” home and turned it into my tv cabinet.  Kathy delivered the message to Mack in the hospital that I thought in a few more years I might get my money’s worth.   
After Kathy started working with Mack part time, our encounters became more frequent over the years.  He was always interested and interesting.  I came to the conclusion that the saying “He could sell ice to Eskimos” more than likely started as a description of Mack.  Others have simply copied that phrase since.   We set up in Canton buying and selling our wares whenever it was so hot you could fry eggs on the car hoods.  The solution to that situation was a large communal tub filled with ice water where we took turns sticking our bare feet in to cool off.  Life was always fun whenever Mack was around as the conversation never faltered.
His unique display of his wares was to dump everything in the middle of a big blanket (or Not) and let everyone sift through - to their hearts content.  When asked, “What is this?” His favorite retort was, “What do you want it to be?  
As the years passed our encounters were fewer and fewer, but whenever we did meet it was with the same exuberance as if we were long lost friends.  He made everyone feel special.  
I know that Heaven is a lot brighter with him in it and Earth is certainly dimmer.  I am proud that I got to walk this Earth plane at the same time as Mack.  
Donna Verhalen Albus (Kathy's big sister)

Biscuits for dinner.  My first love of BRINNER came from the Morgan house, because when I was a kid and hanging out with my dear friend, Vickie, her parents (Mack and Rosemary) made me feel part of the family, such that I got to join them for Brinner on many occassions!    Warm biscuits with butter and jelly.  Yum!  I can picture myself at their table and hear Mr. Morgan asking me questions about my family or school, and Mrs. Morgan's infectious giggle.  The Morgan household was one of my coziest spaces as a kid, and Vickie and I were almost always laughing until we cried.   The Morgan house was where I could just be myself. I credit that safety, warmth and joy to Mr. and Mrs. Morgan.  
Mr. Morgan always said he was glad to see me- every single time I saw him, and I knew he meant it. 
Mr. Morgan brought light-heartedness to any situation.  He was always joking with his daughters, or his daughter's many friends.  He had the best balance of being an interested and concerned parent, but never came across as too nosy, anxious or harsh.  
There were many stories of him traveling to find treasures through the years.  Mr. Morgan loved interesting things, and interesting places, and he found plenty to share in his stories.  
A conversation with Mack was never boring.  He would say, "Now listen..." before he started into a great tale.
I will remember Mr. Morgan always asking  questions first, telling a great story, and then breaking into the warmest smile. 
Mr. Morgan was strong, too.  He had more than his share of illnesses and accidents over the last years.  But, he stayed strong and industrious, tough, and charming.  He was one of the last powerhouses of my friend's parents-  a generation that is incredibly hardworking and smart, who adored their kids and wanted so much for them.  I'm so grateful for Mack Morgan's treasure of a life and the blessing I got by being a tiny part of it.   We will miss you, Mr. Morgan.  Thank you for showing us resilience and joy!

My aunt, Kathy Verhalen, have been hand-in-hand since I was born, I believe, and in my young adulthood, we continued on together, whenever we could, selling antiques.  Many years ago, I found out that my antiquing mentor and protector was friends with Mack, my aunt Kathy’s antiquing mentor, protector and friend.   My mentor, Margaret Dominy, and Mack did a series of small shows run by one woman at small town venues close to Round Top. They also did the Round Top show. Mack and Margaret demonstrated by every deed that they wanted Kathy and me to succeed in the antiques business. They gave knowledge, insight, tips, special buying places, time and energy to us. This is a very rare quality today but they did it with grace and consistency. Mack and Margaret also could almost out talk each other. That’s even rarer. I think I will never forget his big, beautiful voice or the generous spirit of the man who used it.  He certainly never forgot any of us. Godspeed, Mack, you were a joy to know.

Mack was a great friend to my sister Kathy and always seemed glad to include me and my other sisters and brothers in that friendship. He always seemed happy with a giant smile. He always had a story. 
At antique shows or flea markets, Mack didn't seem to have decorating skills. He just dumped his things on the tables or ground. Then we watched him sell unusual or mysterious stuff like crazy! When someone asked, "What is this?" he'd reply "What do you want (need) it to be?"
Mack, I'm looking forward to seeing you again in the next go-round....

I've know Mr. Morgan since Vickie and I met in 7th grade.  He has always been the kindest person to me.  I turned 16 a couple months before Vickie, and so I would take her to school and when we would come back to her house, Mr. Morgan always greeted me and always asked questions about my day.  My favorite memory is when he would sing the Georgie Porgie Pudding and Pie song, but would substitute my name into the song.  He always made me smile and laugh.  Another time he bought me an antique penguin (which I still have to this day), because he knew I liked penguins.  He just  liked to make people smile.  The last couple of times I visited him, he always asked about my family and kids.  He was genuinely interested in how they were doing in college.  I have so many wonderful memories, and am so happy of the many years that I knew him.  I love you and will miss you Mr. Morgan.

Mack Morgan memories? I could easily fill a book of them but …here is page 1 of chapter 1 in the book of Mack and Kathy:
A dozen times I drove by Mack’s Antiques, a little log cabin on Division St, but it was always closed.  As a first year teacher, I was just beginning to explore my fascination with antiques. One day, my luck and future path changed when that door was open. A tall friendly man with the kindest smiling eyes greeted me and asked questions (there were always sincere questions) and added  some story (there was always a story). Afterwards I asked if he would consider letting someone keep the shop open more consistently. That night this trusting man  introduced this stranger to his wife and handed me a shop key. From that point on, his trust in me (and mine in him) never wavered. Our 51 year antiquing adventure and friendship began. He shared his shop. He shared his family and friends. He shared his vast knowledge of the antique business and a whole new world opened up to me when he opened his door. He was not only my mentor and dear friend, he felt like my adopted big brother. Because he blessed me by choosing me to be a part of his life, he is forever a part of the heart of me. I never anticipated when walking into that store looking for some treasure - that my most valuable treasure would be a gentle man called Mack.

When I think about Mac, I think about Canton and all the wonderful times we had there in the 1980s.

One of my favorite stories is one my mother still tells about the time I found an old Army uniform. I was so excited about finding it—and even more excited that I was able to purchase it. I remember running as fast as I could to show Mac.

The trousers were way too big for me. They practically swallowed my small frame, making me look as though I had been completely devoured by them. But I didn't care. I was proud of that uniform, and I couldn't wait to show Mac what I had found.

Looking back, it's those little moments that mean the most—the excitement of being a kid, the places we shared, and having Mac there to share those memories with me.

always referred to your Daddy as Mr. Morgan. If you looked up “Daddy” in the dictionary, you could find Mr. Morgan’s picture right there. Mr. Morgan was loving, caring, genuine, and always had a hug to give.

One of my fondest memories of Mr. Morgan is that he was always cracking a joke or poking fun. I saw him at the hospital right before he went to be with Jesus. He asked me, “Why are you wearing that junior college shirt?” referring to my Baylor T-shirt. That was just Mr. Morgan—always ready to tease and make you smile.

I am so thankful to God for placing the Morgan family in Woodland West in Arlington. My life has been changed by knowing the Morgan family, and especially by experiencing the love of Mr. Morgan. I feel so blessed to have known him and to have been loved by him.

I am going to miss your sweet daddy.  He would joke with me whenever I would call or come over, I owe him so many nickels for phone calls during Jr high and high school. One of my favorite memories was getting to go to Franklin with you all, and seeing him in his element. I felt very honored to be asked to go with you all on that trip, as I had heard about Franklin for a very long time. He will surely be missed.

I have been blessed to know two baby whisperers in my life, and both of them were from Franklin, Texas - my father, Thomas Odell  Howell, and Mack Morgan.

Uncle Mack was always so happy to see anyone and everyone! He had big smiles and always gave a big hug! He loved sharing stories with everyone. I always think of him being so excited to see me and wanting to hear about everything going on with my family! We loved Mack and will miss him dearly!
Karen Dalton Koster and Family

I have so many precious memories of my Uncle Mack that it is difficult to choose just one or two, but there are two that have always stayed close to my heart.

One was when I was grown and Uncle Mack came to visit me at my home in the country. We had built a house on our little piece of acreage, and he was so impressed by what we had made there. I could see him beaming with pride for me, and that meant more than he probably ever knew. That was simply who Uncle Mack was. He always looked for the good, and he was genuinely proud of the people he loved. His family meant everything to him.

The other memory involves my son when he was just a little boy. Uncle Mack had come from Arlington to visit Franklin, and the two of them were walking together, leading a donkey near the old home place. Uncle Mack was telling him that he had grown up there. My son was still too young to fully understand how everyone fit into the family, but somehow he understood that this land and these people were part of him. He raised his little hands and said, “All this belongs to my people.”

Uncle Mack never forgot those words and spoke of that moment often. His heart was deeply attached to his home place, and it meant so much to him that even a little boy understood that this was where his people came from. That sweet memory says so much about Uncle Mack—his love for his family, his connection to home, and the pride he carried for all of us. I will always treasure the way he made us feel loved, important, and special.

Love,
Sherry

For Sadie’s first snow, dad got the sled out.

With the kids at Yellowstone National Park

Taking the kids to the spring, daddy’s favorite place.

You know how much I loved your dad and all of your friends know that he loved us.  He was always so welcoming when I came to your house as a kid, eager to  visit and find out what was going on with me.  Before we could retreat to your bedroom, I would sit on the sofa and talk with your dad.  Even when I was an adult, he wanted to catch up.  He reminded me every time of how he loved to hear us giggle.  He's the only parent of a friend that I made a special effort to visit when I was in Arlington, in part because I loved seeing him and in part because I knew he loved seeing me.  He would get that excited smile and would say "I'm so happy to see you."  I know you will miss him terribly.  Love to all of you, Jeanna

OBITUARY

George "Mack" Morgan Jr

August 26, 1935 – September 7, 2026

Moore Funeral Home & Memorial Gardens

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