Mr. Duddlesten particularly enjoyed mentoring up-and-coming young businessmen and women in Houston, particularly those in real estate and development. He regarded them as not only friends, but family, and welcomed meetings to encourage their success. He always felt blessed to be surrounded and supported by the special people he employed. His goal was to push everyone to grow and hone their skills with hard work, self-starting initiative, good judgment, honor and character. He said, “always do what you say you’ll do.” He expected the best from each person. Wayne was a man of kindness, generosity, wisdom, wit and style. He was a listener, which is rare among men who accomplish so much. He was a man of humility and wit. He loved his family and friends. He was a gentle man who thought of others first. When he said, “If I can do anything for you, let me know” he meant it. While he expected the most of each person, he was patient and supportive. Those who learned from his prodding and coaching came away stronger, wiser, and more capable. Wayne was a man of his word.
An impressive array of personal accomplishments include:
- Named “Outstanding Young Man of the Year” by the Houston Chamber of Commerce in 1964
- Recipient of the Anti-Defamation League’s Humanitarian Award
- Appointed by Governor William Clements as Commissioner of the Texas Department of Highways and Public Transportation, serving from 1989 until 1991
- Founding member of the Houston Apartment Association, and was named its 1992 Hall of Fame Honoree
- Received the John Turner Legacy Award for advancements in transportation and mobility in Houston and Harris County from the Greater Houston Partnership
- Received the Houston Association of Realtors’ Commercial Hall of Fame Award in recognition of his over 45 years of accomplishments in the field of commercial real estate development
A strong supporter of the Houston community, Mr. Duddlesten’s impressive record of service in civic, charitable and business-related organizations include:
- Participation as a board and executive committee member of the Greater Houston Partnership
- A trustee emeritus of the University of Houston Foundation
- An advisory board member of the University of Houston Foundation
- An advisory board member of the University of Houston System Development Board
- A member of the President’s Council of Houston Baptist University
- National trustee of the National Jewish Center for Immunology and Respiratory Medicine in Denver, CO
- A founding member of the steering committee and member of the advisory board of Passages, a women’s addiction-residential treatment facility
- Advisory board member of Trees for Houston
- Director of “Mission Impossible” for the March of Dimes
- Christmas seal chairman of the San Jacinto Lung Association
- Director of the Houston Lighthouse for the Blind
- Silver Star supporter of the Houston Council on Alcohol and Drugs
- A member of the University of Texas Houston – Health Science Center Development Board, serving on its Public Affairs Advisory Council
- Founding member of University of Texas Houston – Health Science Center’s Lone Star Legacy Society
- Trustee of the Texas Apartment Association
- Served on Life Magazine’s Builders’ Marketing Council
- A member of the Multi-Family Housing Committee of the National Association of Homebuilders
- A frequent speaker at Multi-Family Housing Conferences, Southwest Builders Conferences, National Apartment Association Conventions, and American Hotel-Motel Association Conventions
The Wayne Duddlesten Foundation was formed in 1981. As a result, many charitable, educational and medical organizations have been funded.
