In honor of a veteran
New baseball field serves as a tribute to a fan who wore a different uniform
New Miami baseball field serves as a tribute to a fan

By Sheila Stogsdill Comments 1
Published: June 24, 2008

MIAMI, OK — Francis Morgan wasn't a Heisman Trophy winner, like this city's Steve Owens. Nor was he a legendary pro baseball player, like Mickey Mantle, who was from nearby Commerce.

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Nina Morgan holds the 1977 "Forget Me Not” poster that showed a picture of her husband, Francis. It was used to sell memorial poppies. She stands with a marker that was placed at the ballpark in honor of Francis. By gary crow, for the oklahoman "He loved NEO football. He never missed a game. We traveled from Savannah, Georgia, to California to watch NEO football.”

Monday night, however, Morgan posthumously received a tribute fit for a sports hero, when the city of Miami held a ceremony to recognize the new Francis Morgan Baseball Field.

Rain and cloudy skies threatened the ceremony, but as it began the skies cleared and the sun came out.

About 65 people attended the ceremony, which included the unveiling of a 3 1/2 foot stone marker in honor of Morgan.

Morgan, paralyzed while serving in the Korean War, loved Miami sports. From Little League games to events at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College, Morgan attended them all.

"You couldn't go to a sporting event that he wasn't there,” said Tim Wilson, interim city manager.

Morgan died in 1998 of complications from his war injury. He was 67.

What about funding?

The $250,000 baseball field is adjacent to the city's swimming pool.

Its completion was made possible by a $125,000 grant from the Oklahoma Land and Water Conservation Fund Program, he said.

The federal program, overseen by the National Park Service, helps fund the preservation, development and creation of outdoor recreation programs, Wilson said.

The city provided cash, labor and equipment for the project, and the Grand River Dam Authority contributed to the field lighting, Wilson said.

"My husband would be so honored,” Morgan's widow, Nina, said of the baseball field dedication.

Nina Morgan attended Monday's dedication ceremony along with the couple's children, Kevin and Denise. Five grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and city officials also attended.

Injury didn't slow this fan

A Miami High School graduate, Morgan joined the Marines and was rendered a paraplegic at 20 after he was wounded in the Korean War on May 25, 1952.

Morgan was such a dedicated fan, a special seating area was built for him at Northeastern's Red Robertson Field, Wilson said.

"He loved NEO football. He never missed a game,” said Nina Morgan, who was married to Francis Morgan for 45 years. "We traveled from Savannah, Georgia, to California to watch NEO football.”

She said her husband once was honored as Northeastern's No. 1 fan.

A familiar face

The stone monument will serve as a reminder to his dedication. As the stone was unveiled, Nina Morgan wiped away tears. He was a familiar face around Miami ball parks for decades, often supporting his children's athletic pursuits. He was seen keeping score and coaching Pop Warner football.

"Nothing could ever stop that man,” Nina Morgan said.

Francis Morgan also served as state commander for Disabled American Veterans and was a lifetime member of both the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Paralyzed Veterans of America.