Michael Ambrose

Michael Edward Ambrose went to be with his Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ, in the early hours of July 20, 2022, at his home in Austin, Texas. He was 65.

He was born September 15, 1956 at Offutt Air Force Base, Omaha, Nebraska, to his parents, William R. and Ruth R. Ambrose. Since his father was in the military, he lived many places. They included the United Kingdom, Beech Grove KY, Steens MI, Princeton KY, Lexington KY, Hondo NM, Fort Knox KY, Gadsden AL, El Paso TX, and Brunssum in the Netherlands. He finally put deep roots down in Austin, Texas, where he met his wife Hendle. It was love at first sight.

Mike received a Bachelor's degree in English from the University of Texas. Mike was proficient in Latin and also studied Greek. For many years he was founder, editor, and publisher of Argonaut magazine and Charlton Spotlight magazine. He was an excellent writer, editor, illustrator, and production specialist for his small-press magazines. He was co-founder and co-owner of Liberty Graphics in Austin. For several years he worked at the U.T. School of Business and at Austin Public Library.

Mike was the Senior Editor of Texas Bar Books for the State Bar of Texas. He was employed there for 27 years and continued working full time to the end of his life. It was his favorite job ever, and he loved the work and the people.

He is survived by his wife Helen "Hendle" Pendleton Rumbaut, his mother Ruth Wood, brother Bill (Carol) Ambrose, sister Rebecca Ambrose, half-sister Anna Ambrose, a stepdaughter Sasha (Jimmie) Willingham, step-grandson Charles Clark, nephews Tom Ambrose and Anthony Gonzales, niece Emma Lou Ambrose, and numerous family members.

He and his wife, the former Helen Pendleton, visited Lawrence, KS often to visit her Pendleton family members. Helen grew up in Lawrence and moved to Austin after her 1971 graduation from the University of Kansas.

Mike fought a valiant fight against metastatic pancreatic cancer since his diagnosis in March 2020, including a Whipple procedure and other surgeries, 49 chemotherapy infusions, and 10 radiation treatments. Mike never complained or lost hope. His ultimate hope was sealed in the last weeks of his life, when he enthusiastically placed his full faith in his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and was truly transformed.

The memorial service will be held on Friday, January 19, at 1:00 p.m., at Austin Ridge Bible Church, 9300 Bee Caves Road, Austin, TX 78733, in the lower lobby of the worship center building. Charitable contributions may be given to The Gideons International.