Richard "Ric" Harry Trahan IV

Richard "Ric" Harry Trahan IV, age 58, left us on Saturday, November 12, 2022. The way he died - surrounded by a revolving door of friends and family, listening to a constant soundtrack of his favorite music (including live performances by his sons Elliott and Lee), and fighting to the last breath to be present with his family - is emblematic of how he lived.

Ric was born in Lake Charles, Louisiana on his mother's birthday in 1964. Though his early childhood would see him in places like Newfoundland, Whidbey Island, and Japan, the majority of his young memories were made in Shreveport, LA and Houston, TX. After attending the University of Texas, Ric found a permanent home in Austin, where he raised a family with his wife Lisa.

Anyone who knew Ric would tell you that he loved a lot of things. He loved UT football, and depending on who you asked, he was either the first-or last- person you'd want to watch a game with. He loved the collective of small franchises he ran until 2016. He loved to run - from breaking track records in high school through his later trail running phase. His love for music can be seen from the first record he collected as a child to the 2,400-song playlist that saw him off in his final days.

Above all else, Ric loved his family, and it was his greatest joy to see his sons Elliott and Lee venture into the world becoming their full selves. In his final years, the days he anticipated the most were when his boys flew home from their respective universities in Boston.

Ric is survived by his wife Lisa Elliott Trahan, sons Elliott Trahan and Lee Trahan. Also his parents, Sandra Hammann Hill and Richard Harry Trahan III (Pam), his siblings Blake Trahan (Shawn), Andrea Trahan, Joshua Trahan (Rachel), uncles David Trahan (Annette) and Buddy Hammann (Barbara), along with several cousins, a host of nephews and nieces, and too many beloved friends to name. A celebration of life is planned for Tuesday, December 20 from 2pm-4pm at Westwood Country Club in Austin. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Pease Park Conservancy for a trail improvement project honoring Ric: https://peasepark.org/honor-ric-trahan.