Britt Parker Medford

Britt Parker Medford passed peacefully in Austin on April 27, 2018 after a seven month battle with a rare form of cancer. He went home to be with the Lord surrounded by his loving family. Child of God, beloved husband, father, son, architect and craftsman, friend, businessman, and scout leader; he was loved, admired, and respected by all who knew him.

Britt was born in Tyler, Texas on July 20, 1958 to Lel L. Medford, Jr. and Melba Robinson Medford. He always said he had an idyllic childhood playing in the woods, building forts and treehouses, and spending summers skiing and swimming in Lake Tyler. He attended Tyler Public Schools and graduated from Robert E. Lee High School. Growing up with parents in the architecture and interior design fields, Britt acquired many skills working with his hands in building and remodeling, and appreciated good design. From an early age, he knew he wanted to be an architect and followed in his father's footsteps. He was an honor graduate of the School of Architecture at Texas A&M University, and attended graduate school at the University of Virginia.

Britt interned under many well-known and respected architects including E. Davis Wilcox and Bruce Goff of Tyler, and worked for his idol and early mentor, Frank Welch of Midland, where he made lifelong friends and met the love of his life, Cydney McDonald. In 1983, they moved to Austin where Britt worked for another renowned architect, Chartier Newton, who was instrumental in Austin's iconic Loop 360 bridge design. Starting his own firm in 1988 with a focus on custom homes, Britt's projects were chosen for the AIA Homes Tour for four consecutive years. Dissatisfied with lighting options for wall sconces and chandeliers for his own projects, he began designing and crafting custom lighting in his garage out of copper, brass, and glass to complement his architecture. This grew to become Two Hills Studio, a custom architectural lighting and decorative metal working business which has been located on South Lamar since 1994. Britt always said that decorative lighting was like jewelry on a building, enhancing and completing the look. Specified by architects, interior designers, developers, and homeowners, his fixtures adorn the inside and outside of buildings and homes all over Austin and throughout the nation. Some notable projects include custom lighting for Texas A&M University, The University of Texas at Austin, the Bullock Texas State History Museum, and one of his favorites, a custom chandelier at the Boy Scouts of America Fickett Center depicting all the icons of scouting. He was honored by the Texas Society of Architects in 2000 with the Artisan Award.

After 31 years in business, Britt was ready for a new adventure and entrusted Two Hills Studio to a new owner who is carrying on the legacy of good design, craftsmanship, and customer service.

Britt was a devoted husband and father and loved his family beyond measure, never missing a dance recital, a ball game, or school event. He was an Eagle Scout, as is his father and son, and exemplified the Scout oath throughout his life. He served as a Cub Scout Pack master and later led Boy Scout treks to Philmont and Northern Tier. Always an outdoorsman, Britt enjoyed mountain biking, skiing, golfing, gardening, fishing, and most notably hunting with his son, Parker, and longtime friends. Britt and Cydney loved to travel and share those experiences with their children. Two of Britt's greatest life events were hiking part of the Appalachian Trail with son Parker, and most recently walking his beautiful daughter, Meghan, down the aisle.

Britt is survived by his wife, Cydney of thirty-six years, daughter Meghan and husband, Eric Shanklin of Houston, son Parker Mason Medford of Austin, his parents Lel L. and Melba Medford of Tyler, and numerous cousins and extended family.

Britt's goodness, kindness, integrity, and immense talent will be greatly missed by his loving family and all who knew him. As Paul said to Timothy and the Corinthians, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith; to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord."

A memorial service celebrating Britt's life is planned for 3:00 p.m. on Monday, May 7 at The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, 3201 Windsor Road, Austin, TX 78703, with a reception following.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial scholarship has been set up in Britt's name to help Scouts attend Philmont High Adventure Camp.

Capital Area Council, The Boy Scouts of America

Attn: Leigh Wyatt/memorials

12500 North IH 35

Austin, TX 78753

Arrangements by Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home, Austin, Texas - (512) 452-8811. For those desiring, you may also access the online guest registry and obituary at www.wcfish.com.