Michael Stockton Marix

1935 - 2026

Michael Stockton Marix
01/31/1935 - 03/09/2026
Michael Stockton Marix was born January 31, 1935, to George Elliot Marix and Eileen Taylor Marix in Manila, Philippines, and passed away in Houston, Texas, on March 9, 2026.
Mike was raised in Los Angeles by his mother and his aunt, Lottie Rose. He attended Los Angeles High School and Los Angeles City College, followed by a stint in the United States Army, where he served as a private "protecting San Francisco from the elephants," as he often joked to his children. His dry wit and sarcastic commentary would become a defining trademark throughout his life.
Mike always told family and friends that his life took a turn for the better when he met Ann Larned in 1955 while both were working at CBS Television in Los Angeles. Mike credited Ann with helping him reprioritize his life and better understand his true purpose: providing for her and the family they built together. He often described her as "the most selfless and elegant woman I ever knew."
Mike began his career in real estate in Santa Barbara, California, with First American Title Company. When an opportunity arose to advance, he boldly moved his family to Dallas, Texas, in 1969 to join a homebuilding firm. When that firm expanded to Houston, Mike relocated his family again in 1972 to lead the effort.
It did not take long for Mike to decide that he wanted to go into business for himself, and in 1977, he founded Marix Housing Corporation. He was named Builder of the Year by the Greater Houston Builders Association in 1979 and served as GHBA President in 1981. Over the years, he developed numerous single-family communities throughout Houston along with apartment and condominium projects.
His builder buddies became the center of Mike and Ann's close circle of friends. Together they traveled, played tennis, ate, drank, and greatly enjoyed each other's company.
Like many in Houston during the mid-1980s, Mike weathered a difficult real estate market and ultimately relocated back to California, where he staged his comeback by founding Cornerstone Developers. He became a successful homebuilder in the Coachella Valley during the 1990s and early 2000s.
In 2007, Mike sold his firm to Lennar, a publicly traded national homebuilder, and later formed Cornerstone Investors, which owns and operates apartment communities. Mike credited the company's success to Jason Gayler, Cornerstone's CFO, Kirk Freeman of Concierge Realty Advisors, and Susan Field of Anterra Property Management – the "Team," as Mike proudly called them.
Mike returned to Houston in 2010 to be closer to family and took great joy in attending his grandchildren's school and sporting events.
Mike had a lifelong passion for cars, culminating when his restored 1958 Ferrari California Spyder won an award at the 2007 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. Driving across the trophy presentation stage in that car was one of his crowning achievements.
Mike's final years were spent as a resident of The Tradition, where he was lovingly cared for by Gemma Dela Cruz, Marissa Baguisa, and Kim Diala. The Marix family extends heartfelt thanks to them for their kindness and devotion.
Mike is survived by his daughter, Michelle "Shelli" Becken and her husband, Leon Becken, of Fallbrook, California; and his son, Michael Taylor "Todd" Marix and his wife, Mary "Mimi" Marix, of Houston, Texas. He is also survived by four grandchildren: Sarah Michelle Crook, William Taylor Crook, Anna Carlisle "Charlie" Marix, and Michael Hudson Marix.
Mike's office had many quotes and stoic philosophical phrases that were cut out of books and taped to his desk. This one defines him well:
"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming-wow-what a ride!!"
The family plans private services.