Mike McAllister

Michael Lee McAllister joined his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Sunday August, 28, 2011 after a valiant fight against cancer. He was a man of God, an optimist, and a devoted family man. A fifth generation San Antonio native, Mike was born to Helen Black McAllister and Gerald Nicholas McAllister in Corpus Christi, TX on December 21, 1954 and grew up in San Antonio, graduating from Alamo Heights High School in 1973. He graduated from Sewanee, The University of the South, with a B.A in Economics in 1977. At Sewanee, he met the love of his life, Nancy Bell. He and Nancy received their MBAs at Tulane University in 1980 and married on July 5, 1980 at St. Marks' Episcopal Cathedral in Shreveport, Louisiana. The couple moved to New York City where Mike began his lifelong career as an investment banker. In New York, he worked for The First Boston Corporation and Lehman Brothers. After working in Dallas and Austin for regional investment banks, Mike co-founded Westlake Securities in 2002 in Austin, Texas and served as CEO and Managing Director until his death.

Mike served on the vestries in each of the Episcopal churches he and his family attended over the years including Church of the Epiphany in New York, St. Michael and All Angels in Dallas, and Good Shepherd in Austin. He served six years on the Board of Directors of St. Andrew's Episcopal School, as Treasurer for four years. He was a member of numerous social and philanthropic organizations including The Order of the Alamo and German clubs in San Antonio; The Bachelors and Admirals clubs in Austin; and was a Board member of the Trull Foundation and the Sewanee College Visiting Committee. Just prior to his death, he was honored by the Central Texas chapter of ACG with the inaugural Spirit of Excellence Award. He passionately loved the outdoors, hunting and fishing with his father and siblings, snow skiing and water skiing with his children. Mike was a natural mentor to many young people, helping them find jobs in their chosen careers.

He is survived by his parents, The Rt. Rev. and Mrs. Gerald Nicholas McAllister of San Antonio; his wife Nancy Bell McAllister and their children Nina Elizabeth McAllister and William Cameron McAllister; and three siblings and their families: brother David, and wife Cecile, son Andrew McAllister of San Antonio; daughter Amanda and husband Stephen Calhoun of Austin; brother Steve and wife Susannah and their children Annie, Sallie, and Samuel McAllister of San Antonio; sister Elizabeth McAllister Curtis and children Samantha, Adam, and Alex Curtis of Austin. Also surviving Mike is mother-in-law, Susan W. Bell, sister-in-law Margaret Bell Badgley and husband Jerry of Shreveport, Louisiana and her daughter, Mary Frances Cypher of Birmingham, Alabama sister-in-law Marian Bell and her children Grace Elledge of Birmingham, Alabama and Whitaker Elledge and James Elledge of Austin. Additionally, Mike is survived by aunt and uncle, James and Frances Shepherd of Birmingham. He will be missed by countless cousins, Godchildren and loving friends.

A memorial service in gratitude for his life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, September 2, 2011 at The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd at 3201 Windsor Road, Austin, TX followed by a reception at Good Shepherd.

Those wishing to make memorial gifts may do so to Mike's beloved alma mater, The University of the South, c/o University Relations, 735 University Avenue, Sewanee, TN 37383.