John Malcolm Waddell Jr.

John Malcolm Waddell Jr., passed away peacefully at home in Houston on Sunday, the 11th of May 2025, surrounded by family and friends. He was 72 years of age. He courageously battled cholangiocarcinoma for two years, meeting his diagnosis with remarkable grace and choosing faith over fear. A devoted husband, loving father, astute businessman, and dedicated humanitarian, Malcolm touched countless lives through his friendship, mentorship, and great sense of humor.

A fourth-generation Houstonian, Malcolm was born on the 25th of May 1952, to Norrie Jane Moore Waddell and John Malcolm Waddell Sr., joining his older sister, Candace. A proud Kinkaid School “lifer,” Malcolm graduated in 1970 before earning a B.A. in Economics and Managerial Studies from Rice University in 1974. He went on to receive an MBA from Harvard University in 1979. Each of these institutions shaped his character and values and served as the foundation for lifelong friendships.

During the summer between his years at Harvard, friends introduced Malcolm to Suzanne Bruce, a second-year medical student at Baylor College of Medicine. The two quickly fell in love and married in 1981. They welcomed daughters Julianne and Amanda, and Malcolm embraced fatherhood. After the sale of his company in 1993, Malcolm became a full-time, self-proclaimed “Mr. Mom,” a role he cherished long before it was common. A familiar face at school functions and homeroom cupcake runs, these moments were not chores to him, but privileges. Time with his daughters was his greatest joy.

Malcolm’s entrepreneurial spirit emerged early in his career. In 1984, he co-purchased the company that would become EnClean, Inc., where he served as CEO for a decade. Following its sale in 1993, Malcolm devoted his energy to his family before launching a new business partnership with Suzanne in 1997. Together, they grew Suzanne Bruce and Associates Dermatology from a solo practice into a thriving multi-practitioner medical, research and cosmetic clinic. As a mentor to SBA’s young managers, Malcolm helped to shape many careers with his thoughtful guidance.

Beyond his professional life, Malcolm found joy in music, travel, friends, and volunteership. A living music encyclopedia, he could name every hit from the 60’s and 70’s after just a few notes and was a frequent winner of Houston KLDE radio’s “name that tune” contest (before being banned from competing). For forty years, he created mix tapes, CDs and finally USBs of Christmas music that he handed out to not only friends and neighbors, but also employees at some of his favorite local restaurants. He loved spending time at the family vacation homes in New Mexico and Galveston. Always curious and eager to explore every corner of the world, he and Suzanne enjoyed many wonderful trips together.

Whether recounting the history of Motown or engaging in heartfelt conversation, Malcolm was a social butterfly. Known as a uniter of people, he enthusiastically served as his Kinkaid class correspondent for over thirty years. As a child, he spent many happy summers at Camp Longhorn and even attended Alumni Camp as an adult. He particularly enjoyed reconnecting with his Harvard section mates during their monthly Zoom calls.

Malcolm was committed to serving his community. He held many leadership positions, including President of the Kinkaid Alumni Association and the Jones School’s Rice Business Partners, and served as a board member for the Houston Area Women’s Center. He and Suzanne have been members of Christ the King Lutheran Church since 1981, and in his final days, he often turned to his faith for strength and comfort.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Norrie Waddell.

Malcolm is survived by his beloved wife, Suzanne Bruce; daughters, Julianne Bruce Waddell, Amanda Moore Waddell and her husband Yusuke Mori; grandsons, Owen Waddell Mori, and Noa Bruce Mori; sister, Candace Waddell MacMahon; nephews, John MacMahon, and Douglas MacMahon; niece, Lora Bruce Hansen; and longtime family friend, Jackie Lavaughn Riley.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from six o’clock until eight o’clock in the evening on Friday, the 30th of May, in the grand foyer of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.

A memorial service is to be conducted at eleven o'clock in the morning on Saturday, the 31st of May at Christ the King Lutheran Church, 2353 Rice Boulevard in Houston.

In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions may be made in Malcolm’s memory to the Malcolm Waddell Class of 1970 Endowed Kinkaid School Scholarship Fund, which provides a need-based financial aid scholarship for a deserving student to attend The Kinkaid School, or to a charity of your choice.

Please visit https://www.kinkaid.org/FinancialAidGive, or mail to The Kinkaid School, Office of Advancement, 201 Kinkaid School Drive, Houston, TX 77024 with a notation for the Malcolm Waddell Class of 1970 Endowed Scholarship Fund.

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