Michael Christopher Duda

Michael was born in Dallas on July 11, 1981. He attended St. Rita School and graduated from Jesuit College Preparatory School in 2000. At Jesuit, Michael participated in football and was instrumental in founding the Jesuit Rugby Club where he excelled.

He went on to the University of Notre Dame, earning a 5-year architecture degree. After practicing architecture in California he returned home to Dallas and earned a Masters of Business Administration at SMU. While at SMU he helped organize the graduate program’s rugby team which competed nationally.

After graduate school, he entered the real estate development field where he managed major projects for his family company before starting his own investment and development company, Briar Cove Holdings.

He served on the Board of Director’s of Genus Holdings and was an active investor in several ventures including Three Nations Brewing Company, Alamo Draft House in Dallas and Rezdora in New York City, with his good friends from Jesuit.

A man for others in the Jesuit tradition, Michael served as a Board member of the Texas Historical Foundation and the Duda Family Foundation where he volunteered in many charitable and historical projects.

Michael lived and loved his life as a Texan and enjoyed time at his Possum Kingdom getaway and Aspermont Ranch. He loved to cook, do the New York Times crossword puzzle, golf, and cheer on Notre Dame football. He also enjoyed hanging out with his Labrador, Dutch, and his rescue dog, Franklin.

He found the love of his life in his fiance, Trinh Nguyen, who he had recently presented as his future bride and who shared many wonderful times as his soulmate and partner.

He is survived by his parents, Fritz and Mary Lee Duda, his five siblings: Leigh Ann Duda Scott, Lendy Duda Vail, Fritz Lee Duda Jr., James Duda and Lindsey Duda Coe; in-laws including Bart Scott, Tom Vail, Elise Gibson, Suzanne Duda, and Brian Coe. He loved his twelve nieces and nephews, who affectionately called him Unky Monkey: Brett, Cole & Carson Scott; Eleanor, Tommy & Michael Vail; Virginia, Elizabeth & Fritz Duda III; and Jamie, Taylor and Nicholas “Cal” Duda.

A celebration of Michael’s life will be conducted on Tuesday, September 10th at St. Rita’s Catholic Church at 1:00 pm. A wake will be held on Monday, September 9th at Ferrari’s Italian Villa and Chophouse at 6:00pm. His many family and friends will gather at a future date to celebrate his friendship at Three Nations Brewery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his name to the Texas Historical Foundation (221 E. 9th St. #205, Austin, TX 78701).