Michael Wayne Walser

Michael (Mike) Wayne Walser, 58, passed away at home in Comfort, Texas on October 8, 2025. He was born on February 23, 1967, in Canyon, Texas to Weldon Wayne Walser and Patricia Annette Arnold. In 1969, they moved to the family farm south of Canadian, Texas, where he and his siblings grew up.
From a very young age, Mike worked hard on the farm operating trucks, tractors and combines. He often told his family that he was operating a tractor at the age of six. Through his school years, he was involved in Ag/FFA, Debate and Band. He was successful in his stock showing endeavors with many big wins at major stock shows in Texas. Industrious and unbelievably hard-working, he purchased his own hay hauler and started his own business when he was a sophomore in high school. Through this business, he was able to pay for his schooling at Texas Tech University, where he initially studied vet medicine, but quickly discovered a passion for engineering. While at Texas Tech, Mike led a team in the SAE Natural Gas Vehicle Challenge, a competition where twenty-four universities competed to modify pickups to operate on natural gas. In 1992, the success from the competition earned him recognition from T. Boone Pickens and a job offer he could not pass up with Mesa Environmental in Fort Worth, Texas, working with natural gas fuel systems. During his time at Mesa, Mike worked with Kennon Guglielmo, a consultant for the company. The two formed a strong professional bond, and in 1997, Kennon asked Mike to join him as a partner in EControls, which resulted in a successful career, and friendship that endured until the end.
Mike was an exceptional, world-class engineer and one of the founding partners of EControls, which ultimately grew to several additional business units and over 1,000 employees under Genisys Controls. He was a visionary in the business and established its presence as the leader in China in the on-highway heavy truck market. Mike's influence internationally extended far beyond China to include business development in Japan, Europe, and South America. He was also the creator of many core technologies, such as voice-coil actuated electronic pressure regulator products, air-valve and propane vaporizer devices and numerous other mechanical and electro-mechanical systems. He was an inventor on numerous patents. Mike was a trusted technical advisor to companies across the globe, a mentor to dozens of employees at EControls and a fearless strategic decision maker driving the business forward for three decades. His intelligence, creativity and dedication were at the heart of his work as an engineer, guiding everything he did and leaving a lasting mark through his innovation and commitment to excellence.
Mike was a man of deep faith, guided every day by his love for Christ and his devotion to his family. He grew up going to the Canadian Church of Christ. His relationship with the Lord shaped how he lived - with kindness, humility and gratitude, and his greatest joy came from the life he built with his loved ones.
In March of 2001, he was blessed with his first child, Anna, and then in February of 2004, he welcomed his second child, William (Will). Becoming their dad became his greatest joy and his love and commitment to them was unwavering. He truly cherished being their dad.
In March of 2013, Mike married Tammy Walser, the love of his life and his perfect partner in faith, family, and adventure. From the moment they met, they both believed their paths had crossed through divine intervention, a gift from God. Naturally, Mike was a father and role model to Tammy's two children, Ryan and Abigail. In July of 2017, Mike proudly adopted Ryan and Abigail. Together they built a strong, blended family rooted in faith and unconditional love. He was their steady foundation, provider, protector, and source of strength. Their family became complete, a true blessing from God, and Mike cherished every moment they shared together. Mike was a steady presence, always putting family first, offering encouragement, wisdom, and laughter throughout every season of life. His faith gave him peace, his family gave him purpose and together they were the center of his world.
Having grown up on a farm, Mike developed a lifelong passion for animals and agriculture. He not only raised his own livestock in school but later passed this onto his kids. Stock showing became a big part of their family life and under his guidance, the kids competed in major shows across Texas throughout their school years, earning much success along the way. Mike took pride in teaching them to care for the animals and instilled in them the values of discipline, accountability, and hard work. These lessons not only shaped him as a young child but also in turn helped shape his kids into who they are today.
Mike truly lived life to the fullest. He not only had a deep love for his family but also for off-road racing and especially Baja racing, fishing at the coast or at the Walser annual lake trip, playing pickleball and traveling with his family and friends. While Mike traveled a great amount throughout his professional career, he loved exploring new places with his wife and kids. Mike and Tammy took amazing trips over the years, and in the last few years, they travelled to Tanzania, Italy, and Greece as well as to Sedona, Arizona and to the Havasupai Indian Reservation bordering the Grand Canyon. They also took a number of family vacations as it was a tradition to always go snow skiing in the winter and to a tropical beach in the summer. In June of 2025, the family took a memorable two-week road trip to Yellowstone National Park that he cherished. Mike's favorite ski spot was Snowmass, and favorite beach was Grand Cayman. No matter where he was with his family, at home or on a trip, if he heard his kids shuffle the dominoes, he was always ready to play a game of 42 or 88 - a true Walser tradition. Whether he was racing across the desert, fishing, or playing dominoes or pickleball, Mike's joy, competitiveness and laughter were infectious. He will be remembered for his adventurous spirit, sharp mind, and unwavering devotion to those he loved.
Mike had a lifelong passion for speed and competition - he simply loved to go fast. That passion led him to the world of off-road desert racing, where he became a fierce competitor. In 2007, he began racing in some of the sport's most demanding events, including those organized by Best in the Desert and SCORE International. Over the years he took on legendary races, such as the Vegas to Reno, Silver State 300, Mint 400, and Parker 425. His determination and drive ultimately led him to his dream: competing in the world-famous Baja 1000. In 2018, Mike purchased one of his ultimate racing vehicles - a Mason 2WD trophy truck, which helped take his team to the top level of the sport. He earned multiple podium finishes, including 2nd place at the Baja 500 and 3rd place at the Baja 1000 in 2023 - the longest Baja 1000 in history. Racing brought Mike a lot of joy, especially because he got to share it with his family and closest friends.
Throughout the past six years, Mike faced his battle with cancer with remarkable courage and grace. Even in the hardest moments, he met each day with quiet strength and unwavering faith in God. He stayed strong not for himself, but for his family - determined to fill their days with love, laughter and normalcy, no matter how he felt. His perseverance, positivity and selflessness throughout his illness were a true reflection of the amazing man he was.
To his family, Mike was the steady heartbeat of their home - the one who could fix or teach anything and bring calm to any storm. He was a loving husband, a proud father, admirable son, and selfless person to all his family and friends to whom he gave his time and heart freely. His life was a beautiful mix of adventure, dedication and love, and his spirit will live on in every life he touched.
Mike is survived by his loving wife, Tammy Walser; his four children, Ryan Walser and wife Alexis Walser, Anna Walser, Abigail Walser and William (Will) Walser; his parents, Weldon and Patricia Annette Walser; and his siblings, Cathy Murdy, Rodney (Rod) Walser and Randall (Randy) Walser and wife Mistie Walser.
Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, October 17, 2025, at Ebensberger Fisher Funeral Home in Boerne, Texas. Funeral service will take place at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 18, 2025, at Boerne Church of Christ in Boerne, Texas, with Preacher Chris Palmer officiating. Burial will immediately follow at Comfort Cemetery in Comfort, Texas.
Pallbearers are Ryan Walser, Rod Walser, Randy Walser, Dustin Wilson, Jack Sutton, and Levi Brinson.
The family requests that any donations in honor of Mike be made to the Boerne Church of Christ. Mike's family wishes to extend their heartfelt gratitude to all who offered love, support and prayers during his illness and passing.