Michael Trimble Wardlaw

Born in San Angelo, Texas, on February 5, 1975, to Anna Trimble Wardlaw and H.R. Wardlaw III, Michael treasured the enduring childhood friendships and deep sense of community provided by his small-town upbringing. He loved quality time on the family ranch, where he enjoyed life’s simple pleasures of dogs, fishing, and family, especially his younger brother, David. His family carried their love of fishing to summers in Creede, Colorado, where Michael’s natural patience equipped him to master fly-fishing, his favorite pastime.

After Michael graduated from San Angelo Central High School in 1993, he soon discovered his second favorite pastime, Longhorn sports. While a student at The University of Texas at Austin, Michael pledged Kappa Alpha, where his humble and genuine demeanor won him more lifelong friends. Michael’s ability to be a good friend has always been one of his most loved qualities. He graduated in 1998 with a Bachelor of Business Administration and Master in Accounting.

Once Austin became his permanent home, Michael began a twenty-year career in commercial real estate. He distinguished himself with his unyielding integrity and steady good nature, most recently as an Executive Vice President with the Central Texas Multifamily group in the Austin office of CBRE. Michael’s relationships were the most significant part of his work. His mentors made a huge impact on his life, which he hoped to emulate through mentoring others. The tremendous outpouring of love from colleagues and clients in the past few months was a source of great comfort.

Nowhere did Michael’s patience pay off more than waiting for the right partner. Meeting on a blind date, Shannon scored major points when Michael learned she was awaiting a new puppy, Hazel. They married a year later in July, 2014 and were ecstatic to see their family grow with the arrival of son Thomas in September, 2015. Michael’s devotion to his family was constant, and he prioritized his time to share Thomas’ many interests and activities. Whether playing chess and ping-pong or serving as “backup” Assistant Coach for a sports team, Michael’s gift of time with Thomas was consistent. These two especially loved their weekends on the golf course, starting with nine holes at Muny on Friday afternoons, with Michael admitting, “A highlight of my life is being Thomas’s caddie.” Michael was Shannon’s constant champion, and their mutual trust was a blessing and strength of their marriage. Michael cherished his family above all, and he led with gratitude each day. His kind and gracious approach to life is his greatest legacy.

Michael was preceded in death by his beloved younger brother, David Courtney Wardlaw. Heartbroken by the loss 5 years ago, also to cancer, Michael gave his best as “Uncle Hip” to David’s three beautiful children, Anna, Catherine “Kate”, and William “Will” Wardlaw. Frequently cheering them on from the sidelines, Michael did absolutely everything in his power to honor his brother’s memory and extend his love.

In addition to David’s children, Michael is survived by his wife, Shannon Thomas Wardlaw; son, Thomas Brooks Wardlaw; parents, Anna and H.R. Wardlaw III; parents-in-law, Karen and M.A. Thomas, Jr.; sister-in-law and brother-in-law Michele and Rob Stevens; nieces Katharine “Scout”, Margaret “Greta”, Charlotte and Carolina Stevens; sister-in-law Elizabeth Fegley Wardlaw and her fiancé Greg Connor; and the sweetest dog, Hazel.

A memorial service will be held at The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd in Austin, at 10:00 am on January 25, 2024. A reception at Westwood Country Club will follow.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Michael’s memory to The Muny Conservancy

The family expresses their sincerest appreciation to the compassionate team of doctors and nurses at MD Anderson Cancer Center.