Max Aaron Friedman

Max Aaron Friedman was born January 11, 1931 in Dayton, Texas. He passed away May 31, 2012 after a valiant two month fight against complications from colon cancer surgery. He was preceded in death by his parents Louis Stanley Friedman and Esther Kline Friedman, and by his brothers Albert and David Friedman. Max (also known as “Mickey”) and his family moved to Houston in 1935 and he spent the remainder of his life as a Houston resident. He attended MacGregor Elementary School, Johnston Middle School and San Jacinto High School. He graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 1953 with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree. Max served in the U. S. Army during the Korean conflict in 1952-1954.

In the 1950s, Max began his career as an independent commercial builder and developer. He was one of the original developers of the MacGregor Medical Clinic. He built apartments, warehouses, retail centers and office buildings throughout the greater Houston region. He also loved raw land. He could see the value in land and buildings where others did not and then he acted on the faith of his beliefs to invest with great success. He remained an active independent investor throughout his life. His extensive historical knowledge of Houston real estate was renowned.

Max was a young 81, living life to the fullest. He was an accomplished artist and sculptor his whole life, having studied at the Museum of Fine Arts after receiving a scholarship at the age of 12. Max was also a ‘tinkerer’ and was always involved in ‘projects’, some of which extended over many years. He also greatly enjoyed traveling the world, making numerous new friends and keeping up with old friends along the way. Max was a lifelong member of Congregation Beth Israel.

Max is survived by his three children and their families, Arthur Friedman, his wife Suzanne and their son David; Bruce Friedman, his children Elizabeth, Sam, Ben and Julie; Claire Friedman Haut, her husband Andrew Haut and their children Hailey and Adam. Max is also survived by his sister Frances Friedman Heyman and husband Irion Heyman and family Cathy Heyman, Brian Miller and Laura Heyman Siegel, as well as nephews and their wives, Robert and Nancy Friedman and Lee and Marilyn Friedman. Funeral Services will be held graveside at Beth Yeshurun cemetery on Allen Parkway at 11:00 AM Sunday June 3, 2012. He will be missed by many dear and loving family and friends, both near and far. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the charity of your choice.