Austin Eudaly

There are no adequate ways to sum up Austin Eudaly in a few paragraphs - to properly express the honor and joy of knowing Austin, or to describe the impact he left on so many lives. I like to think Austin would be both blessed and embarrassed by any such attempt. But, as causing him loving embarrassment was a rare and rewarding achievement, we'll press on; especially knowing that if the situation were reversed, he would probably wing it and somehow do better.

The name 'Austin Eudaly' provokes a lot of strong reactions. He was a walking paradox. He was elusive and gregarious, stubborn and kind, a prankster and a philosopher, lazy and diligent, flippant and deeply invested. With Austin, much seemed to revolve around him whether he liked it or not. His personality was magnetic and his cheerful and generous nature won the admiration and respect of all. Austin was uniquely gifted in uncertain spaces. His high functioning spontaneity and humor made him a gifted leader and a particularly talented salesman. Austin could make the impossible seem not just possible but probable, and by the end he might just have you believing it was your idea all along. He had an innate optimism that was refreshing in a world so broken and cynical. His positive attitude and joy were infectious and emblematic of the kind of person we are all trying to become someday. In so many ways, Austin represented the best of us.

What drove the very best of Austin was a deep care for each person's dignity and worth. He really took to heart how everyone is precious in the eyes of their Creator. It's easy to respond to issues of poverty by writing a charity check and keeping a safe, insulated distance from real people with real needs. Austin was different. He expressed his faith best through his actions. Those of lower status; janitors, security guards, service workers - so often are ignored or valued only for the services they provide to those that employ them. Austin intentionally got to know such people in his life. He actively involved himself in their immediate needs, but also their hopes and dreams. Quietly, without fanfare, he used his blessings and resources to provide investment and opportunity to enliven those hopes and change the course of their lives and their generations to come. The impact of his generosity in this way is simply immeasurable.

Many, though not all, were aware that Austin had suffered from a brain disorder the last few years. Austin was so uniquely skilled at navigating the unknown without losing his poise. His condition required incredible vulnerability and assistance from others to help him manage this illness; this was a new and daunting reality for someone so accustomed to persisting his way to success. Stigmas surrounding mental health are as real as they are cruel. However, this struggle clarified for Austin those relationships in his life that reciprocated the kind of selfless love and dignity which he so freely gave. Austin was so very blessed by that community of support, love, and compassion.

Most importantly, we want to affirm Austin's faith in Jesus Christ. If all we said about him were just happy sentiments and memories absent of a lasting hope, none of this would matter. Austin confessed Jesus as Lord. His hope and faith were grounded in Christ's victory over sin and death. Austin's death, however painful, does not diminish the truth of his faith. Austin clung to the truth that Jesus meets us right where we are, in all our broken, incapable, and insufficient places; that He knows better than we do just how fragile we are. Christ's work was always to not merely heal our broken places, but to turn our most broken places into His most sacred places. Just like the scars on our Lord's resurrected body, our scars become beautiful in light of his Victory. This is why we wear the Cross. This is why we do not hide Austin's places of brokenness. Instead, we declare Christ's Victory in Austin. We proclaim Christ's redemption precisely in the places that hurt Austin. This is the joy and hope and miracle of Christ's love, and the same work He has completed now in Austin, He is completing in all those that confess Him as Lord.

Like so many of you reading this, words fail to capture our love for Austin and how dearly we miss our son, brother, and friend. We take courage in the certainty of Christ's victory and look forward to a day where we see Austin, more completely and perfectly 'Austin' than we've ever seen. What a raucous and glorious day that will be.

A Celebration of Life service will be held Monday, February 13th at 2pm, at Highland Park Presbyterian Church. The Eudaly family requests those attending wear colorful attire as we celebrate Austin's life. In lieu of flowers, the Eudaly family invites en memoriam gifts to be directed to Communities Foundation of Texas - CFTexas.com/MoreLove