Most excellent, Jason. Sure hope it works out.
There are ACOE campgrounds on Sam Rayburn reservoir. I haven't stayed at these but have every confidence they will be very nice - I've never camped at a ACOE campground that wasn't excellent. The problem is that most of these C/G are closed between Labor Day and March 1. The other problem is that all of these are on the lakeshore. With cold fronts coming through often, it could be windy and that will make for some uncomfortable camping.
OTOH, the Boykin Springs Campground is open year round and is a nice place to camp. They have "tent-only" sites that are tucked in the woods out of the weather and away from the rolling houses, but surprisingly have a paved driveway. There is no electricity, but water is available and there is a restroom/shower. Cheap too - like $6 a night per site. I like this place a lot - the sites are spacious, picnic table and fire ring with a grill, etc. We can cook up some good grub there. There is also nice trail that goes around the park too - I heard that there are some old saw mill ruins on that trail. I may want to venture out and take a walk there if anyone else is game. I recommend this place for our get-together.
URL for the campground description:
https://www.forestcamping.com/dow/southern/angecmp.htm#boykin springs
URL for some pictures (from here, search "Boykin")
https://www.forestcamping.com/dow/pictures/pictures.htm
Hotel/Motel wise, there are quite a few inexpensive and well-reviewed choices in Lufkin, Tx. That is about 40 miles from Boykin Springs campground and maybe only 20 miles from the closest point on the loop I posted earlier (Hunington, TX). So if the motel peeps want to join us for dinner in the woods, and then take the leisurely ride to Lufkin, that's an option. Or meet us on the loop - etc. etc.
Not trying to over plan. Just want those interested to know what we COULD do.
