Our Story

My name is Will Magids. My dad and I were extremely close. We did everything together. Fished, golfed, and everything I did, I did with my dad. That was how it always was, until my whole life changed on February 11, 2019. Unexpectedly, my dad committed suicide that day.

When I heard the news from someone I had never really had a good friendship with I thought he was kidding. I thought that he was just making a joke. But then it hit me. I received about 50 text messages in about 30 minutes. I was shocked. For the next 24 hours, I was just confused. Why did my dad do this to himself? Was it because of me? Could I have done something to stop it? I was devastated.

Few men love people the way he did. He looked forward to every moment he could spend with us. Family was where he wanted to be. Talking, laughing, exploring. Extended family, friends, neighbors, and employees were all welcomed into his overflowing spirit of joy and his love for Jesus. My dad loved his church family at Life Austin and worshiping with them on Sundays was always a highlight of his week. He was also passionate about Kids Outdoor Zone (KOZ). He loved the mission and talking about Jesus with fatherless kids in the outdoors. As one of the board members, he worked extremely hard to grow the program. 

Pastor Randy Phillips summed it up well in his beautiful sermon at my father’s celebration of life service when he said that he cared so deeply about others, but he seemingly didn’t possess the same capacity toward himself. Our mission at The Maury Magids Foundation is to get people to love themselves and others alike. The MMF cares about helping the family and friends of people who are affected by suicide. After something like this happens in a family, it is easy for them to spiral downward without the proper help. 

I think at times we get so caught up in hitting targets that we lose sight of what is actually the most important in our short time here on Earth- our families, our friends, and all those who care so much about us.