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As I often made the drive from Dallas, TX to my hometown of Eagle Lake, TX, I kept noticing a sign not too far from Sealy on HWY 3013, advertising a property – 462 Acres For Sale. Brokers Protected. Call (and a phone number was listed).  I eventually made the call and talked to a guy named Mike.  I don’t really remember the exact details of that initial conversation.  But at some point I was sitting in Mike’s office in Sealy showing him some marketing material I had created for the property.

I told Mike at some point my plan for moving back to my hometown of Eagle Lake to spend more time with my parents, as I had been residing in the Dallas metroplex for 20+ years.  My father had some heart health challenges and my biggest fear was not being around when he moved on to a better place.

I reached out to home builders and developers about the property, and eventually talked to a guy with LGI Homes.  Later down the road, the LGI Homes guy reached back out and eventually I made the trek to meet with them at their office in The Woodlands.  Mike and myself then helped get a deal done with LGI for a portion of the 462 acres.  LGI then met with the city and Economic Development team to try to get their plan approved.  But after almost a year, they dropped the contract.

I then reached out to DR Horton who quickly put a portion of the property under contract. But then Covid hit, and Horton cancelled the contract, but said they might be back soon.  And they were.  Horton came back (and pretty quickly, based on how long most real estate development timelines go) got the deal to the finish line.

I always referred to Mike as the right-hand man of David Cryan, a longtime home builder, developer and investor based in Sealy with Ranch Country Homes.  Because that’s really what he was.  I really enjoyed working with Mike as he really pored into the details of real estate, and deals, as we worked together to sell another six or seven significant properties.  I’ve always been a bit of a lone wolf when it comes to real estate brokerage, but it was really enjoyable working with a creative mind like Mike.

You could tell Mike loved real estate, and he worked on it as long as his body allowed.  I am not sure if his health downturn occurred because of Covid, but it eventually became more difficult for him to get around, yet he still showed up for work every day.  

The middle of 2023 was tough.  Mike eventually passed away in May of 2023, right before my father in July of 2023.  Looking back, it almost seems like Mike was put in my life by God.  In retrospect, I think of him as an Angel, always there to help guide me as I jumpstarted my career in a new location.  I wish I would have thanked him more profusely for all of the opportunities he provided, and I wish I would’ve made him aware of what he meant to me.

I really miss Mike and I hope to come across another person like him some day – a person you can work together with that is a true friend, mentor, and someone that truly wants the best for you.  If I do, I can promise you, I won’t take it for granted.