Brian Patrick McMahon

Brian went to meet Jesus on Sept 13, 2022. He left quite peacefully after battling liver disease & suffering for over 6 months. He was comfortable & resolute at that time, struggling to “work until the day I die.” He shared “God Blessed the Broken Road” & enjoyed pop country including Rascal Flatts. He loved bicycling & participating in fundraiser walks & other great causes like the Justice Foundation, local Firehouse fundraisers, Kinetic Kids & Project Mend. As a family practice attorney he dealt with a lot of the world’s hurt. He enjoyed re-watching movies like ‘the Green Mile’ & John Koffey’s paraphrased words: I’m tired of seeing people being ugly & hurting each other. His intensions were to be fair & counsel toward fullness of life for every person.

Brian was born on Aug 23, 1963 in Chicago to Richard Michael and Nancy Jean McMahon who resided in Romeoville. His Grandfather gave him an unusual connection with the White Sox (as the electrician for Kaminski Park), but he was a true blue Cubs fan too. Brian’s parents & siblings Richard, Kathy, & Colleen all preceded him in death.

Brian began his illustrious career at age 8 flinging newspapers off his bike through Chicago streets even in the winter winds. He left behind many fun cousins in Chicago when the McMahon family moved to Scottsdale AZ in 1976. He thoroughly enjoyed sports, starting football & Little League at 5 yrs old. By High School, he excelled in sports playing lineman in Football, catcher for Baseball, & was on the Wrestling & Track & Field teams in the off-season. He graduated from Scottsdale High school in 1981 as class President, honors student & friends with all he met. His spiritual growth was strongly influenced by Catholic school in Romeoville, Young Life as a teen in AZ. Brian cared for his Grandpa Shaw and moved out on his own when he was 17, working as a line cook, chef, & theater manager. Brain received academic scholarships & went to the Redlands (west LA) for college football but transferred to AZ State University after his 1 yr experience with California; he graduated summa cum laude in 1985 from ASU (Bachelor’s in Business Administration).

Brian aspired to be a professional baseball player but instead made his mark as a Lawyer with Integrity—a hard road & a rare breed. He felt that he was like “Rudy” of Notre Dame & movie fame, always wanting to return to the Midwest & play for ND (his favorite team). His legacy is that he pulled himself up by his bootstraps & got to Texas as fast as he could. He met his 1st wife Gina Smiley working at Sam’s Club before Law School & married in ‘86. Brian put himself through undergrad & Law School at the University of Houston, graduating in 1988. Brian & Gina were involved with SouthEast Church of Christ & had 2 children: Brianna Elise and Matthew Bryan. He enjoyed attending their ball games & even coached Bri’s soccer team. He had a general Law practice in Houston for 15 years but joined up with Traveler’s Insurance for a more routine schedule.

When the opportunity to move with Travelers to San Antonio became available, he chose the move to his kids’ favorite vacation spot. Brian took about 3 yrs off before he found Mary Elizabeth Baudendistel, married at Our Lady of Grace in 2005 & remained in San Antonio. He reverted back to the Catholic faith & was confirmed in ’06; he found solace as a member of the ACTS Community, attended several other retreats, & joined St. Francis of Assisi parish after a move. He re-opened his private law practice in SA in ‘08 & focused on Family Law. He loved reading John Grissom, & watching Adam Sandler & Tom Hanks movies. Considering himself more of a “lone wolf”, he spent many evenings watching ‘Law & Order,’ ‘NCIS,’ & ‘Chicago Med, Fire & PD.’ He got recipe ideas from the Food Network & prided himself on his Chef status in his home even setting up ‘Chopped’ competition with Beth’s children-friends.

He was very happy to be a part of the much larger family of Baudendistels of St Louis, MO. He helped Beth realize her dream of rescuing horses (along with their other animals) & bought land in 2012. They eventually built their dream home at Bridlegate Ranch & moved to Bandera (the Cowboy Capital of the World) in 2017 so that all the family could be at 1 location. He and his wife have 4 rescue horses, 3 rescued dogs , 3 rescued cats & 2 chickens. He was devoted to care for all of them and would hold down the fort when his wife went to see family. He was a consistent supporter of ASPCA, the Humane Society, the Justice Foundation, K-Love, St. Peter’s (Boerne) & Wounded Warriors.

Brian loved cruising after the 1st trip we took on our honeymoon, traveling to the Carribean, Bahamas, Mexican Riviera, Mediterranean, South America, Puerto Rico, Panama, & Alaska. He battled various out-of-the-ordinary health problems including skin cancer, stomach ulcers, fractured ribs & sub-Q emphysema, IBS, NASH & finally cirrhosis-- but fought through each. He fought & recovered as the ‘King of Come-backs’ to be a minimal burden at home; Brian was well cared for by his devoted wife & River City Hospice until he was called home to be with the Lord. He received anointing of the sick an hour before he died quite peacefully with a light smile on his face.

Surviving Mr. Brian McMahon is his devoted wife of 17 years Mary Elizabeth, his children Brianna & Matthew (Natalie) McMahon & their children Finley Rae & Micah Brooke. He was a loving Uncle to many Baudendistels, Menkes, Marvins & the Jones’ family. He loved cooking & sharing meals with family & friends including frequent visitors niece Sally & nephew Peter Marvin, their Mother Amy, Mother-in-law Rosalie Baudendistel & brother in-law Mark Baudendistel. A memorial service, BBQ, & Irish wake will take place at BGR at the Bridlegate Community Center on Oct 14, 2022 at 6 pm.

In lieu of flowers, a donation to an animal rescue charity or a conservative group is requested.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.neptunesociety.com/location/san-antonio-cremation for the McMahon family.