Michael Carroll II

1974 - 2021

Michael Dennis Carroll, II
1974-2021
"May the road rise to meet you, may the wind be at your back, may the sun shine warm upon your face, may the rains fall soft upon your fields, and, until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of his hand." These words hold dear to many as we grieve the sudden passing of Michael D. Carroll II, our beloved brother, friend, mentor, and disciple of Jesus Christ.
Michael Dennis Carroll II, "Michael" unexpectedly passed away peacefully in his sleep while on vacation in Aspen, Colorado. The eldest of five children, Michael was born in Decatur, IL and spent his formative years in Houston, Texas. He attended St. Francis Episcopal Day School ('89), Strake Jesuit College Preparatory ('93), Texas Christian University where he became a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity ('97), and South Texas College of Law ('00). Michael was attending the University of Notre Dame -Mendoza College of Business M.B.A. program ('22) and will graduate with a posthumous degree, which is a true testament to Michael's pursuit of higher learning, his leadership, and his character.
Michael possessed a sharp business acumen and a mind for real estate. He began his career practicing law and in 2003, he followed his entrepreneurial spirit into commercial real estate and never looked back. He joined Riverway Properties where he became President and General Counsel. Embracing his drive to succeed and his penchant for adventure he co-founded numerous ventures beginning with Riverway Capital Partners. Ever the entrepreneur, he co-founded an online sports platform with his brother-in-law which combined his love of business with college football. His passion for creative arts and entertainment brought him together with high school and college friends to form Vanitas Entertainment. He served as Executive Producer to several independent films (of which he greatly enjoyed promoting). In January of 2021 Michael and one of his trusted, lifelong friends enthusiastically founded Foxgate Capital, a dynamic real estate fund poised for the next great entrepreneurial chapter.
A man of immeasurable talent, insatiable curiosity and great passion, Michael always set new life goals and pushed himself to overcome life's challenges. He was an accomplished athlete, stemming back to his formative years at Strake Jesuit. A varsity letterman in; football, swimming, and water polo, he was a key player on the inaugural Strake Jesuit water polo team, helping lead the team to qualify for the state finals his senior year.
Michael's ability to connect and befriend so many people in his life spoke to his uncommon gift of storytelling. He was thoughtful, generous, charming, sincere, insightful, and full of life. His energy and positive nature were contagious to those around him, stranger and friend alike. He always brought the FUN to whatever he was doing. His indelible spirit and character will be dearly missed and never replicated. His deep love for music was a gift from his mother, a drummer. Whether it was touring the country to see Widespread Panic or late nights philosophizing to the Allman Brothers and Leon Russell - music was part of his soul. Always setting goals, he had taken up the bass guitar and loved showing off his new talent to family and friends. He instilled the love of music to his nieces and nephews, gifting them instruments and music lessons for Christmas.
Michael was not afraid of failure, always forging his path as a natural leader and a genuine man for others. His true passions were to spend time with family and friends, travel the world, watch college football at "the lanai" - especially his beloved Irish (and Horned Frogs… depending on the season), discuss politics, philosophy, art, and religion. He had a taste for modern architecture, art, and music that transcended into his distinctive style, often the envy of others. He was truly an original renaissance gentleman.
Michael leaves behind a legacy of accomplishments, but there are none greater than his unwavering commitment, love, and leadership to his family and faith. Following his mother and father's example, he was a committed Catholic whose faith deepened over time. A rosary gifted from his great aunt and Franciscan nun, Sister Mary Carol, was often carried by Michael and used for daily prayer. He was a devoted brother, uncle, God parent and the best friend anyone could ask for.
To say that Michael will be missed by his four siblings, brothers-in-law, countless friends is an understatement, but his gift of unwavering love is with us all eternally. It is extremely rare in life to have a brother, best friend, mentor, and protector wrapped up in one person. When the Carroll family incurred the sudden loss of their father when Michael was a senior in high school, he became all those things. It was a devotion filled with undying loyalty, immense laughter, and big dreams that he carried for his younger brother and three younger sisters.
The relationships that were forged between the five siblings is truly miraculous. They will forever be the original five, the Carroll Clan.
Michael leaves behind, Brady Carroll Peters & husband Dan M. Peters of Houston, TX along with their four children, Cullen, Zach, Kelly, and Bennett Peters; Kelly Carroll Hill & husband Peter Hill of Orange County, CA along with their son Peter Ryan; Shannon Blair Murphy & husband Martin Murphy of Boulder, CO along with their three, children Ryan, Nathaniel, and Colleen; and his younger brother and best friend, Timothy Owen Carroll of Houston, TX. Michael is predeceased by his father Michael Dennis Carroll 1947-1993 and his mother Judy Ann Carroll 1949-2017.
Visitation, Vigil and saying of the Rosary will take place Wednesday, August 4, 2021. 5:30pm Visitation – 6:00pm Rosary St. Anne Catholic Church 2140 Westheimer Road, Houston, TX 77098.
Parking entrance is located off Kingston Drive and Westheimer Road.
The Funeral Mass will take place Thursday, August 5, 2021, at 1:30pm. St. Anne Catholic Church 2140 Westheimer Road, Houston, TX 77098.
Parking entrance is located off Kingston Drive and Westheimer Road.
The Carroll family would like to thank Strake Jesuit and the SJET team for providing streaming capabilities for all unable to attend the services in person. Please find the link to stream as follows: https://youtube.be/EuXmqxudnHQ
In lieu of flowers or gifts, please consider an online donation to the Michael D. Carroll II Memorial Scholarship Fund at the University of Notre Dame. Please contact the Notre Dame Department of Development at givegift@nd.edu – reference Michael D. Carroll II Endowment.