Michael Lee Wisdom

Michael Lee “Mike” Wisdom, age 80, peacefully passed away on March 20, 2025 in Harlingen TX. Mike was born to Woodrow Wisdom and Edith Metheny Wisdom on September 11, 1944 in Mercedes TX and grew up in La Feria TX.

Mike graduated from La Feria High School where he excelled in football and basketball. He attended Texas A&I Kingsville TX and graduated from Pan American University in Edinburg TX in 1969. Soon after obtaining his bachelor’s degree, he began his career in education as an Assistant Coach at Santa Rosa High School. The following year Mike became the Athletic Director and Head Football Coach at Santa Rosa High School.

In 1983 he left coaching to pursue a brief career in sporting goods sales at The Sportsman in Harlingen and later Pro Sports in McAllen. Mike returned to coaching in 1986 when he was appointed La Feria ISD’s Athletic Director and Head Football Coach. He was tasked by the administration to develop a strong athletic program that would benefit all athletes, boys and girls, from Junior High through High School.

In 1994, Mike returned to Santa Rosa High School to lead the Warriors as Head Football Coach for the next 3 years. He was then appointed one of Santa Rosa High School’s Post-Secondary Administrators, working to obtain scholarships and grant funds for graduating seniors, amassing several millions of dollars in funding.

Mike was inducted into the Hall of Honor of the City of Palms Football Clinic in 2013 in recognition of his years of coaching at Santa Rosa High ISD. In 2014, he was also honored for commitment to the development of student athletes by La Feria ISD. Mike was a member of the Rio Grande Valley Coaches Association and the Texas High School Coaches Association.

In his leisure time, he enjoyed playing golf, watching University of Texas Longhorns sports (misses the Longhorn Network), and vacationing in Colorado. He also enjoyed the fellowship of the Wednesday Breakfast Club, meeting of the “Political Minds”, comprised of retirees and friends.

Mike was preceded in death by his parents Woodrow and Edith Wisdom; brother and sister-in-law Jerry and Mary Elizabeth Wisdom; sister JoAnn Griffes; father and mother-in-laws L.Q. and Marian Hay; sister-in-law Leah Hay and his faithful companions Deacon Dog and Cody and too many kitty cats to list.

Left to cherish Mike’s memory are his loving wife of 52 years, Susan Hay Wisdom, brother and sister-in-law David and Susie Wisdom of Fredericksburg TX, nephews and spouses Chad and Paula Wisdom of Fredericksburg TX, Brad and Becky Wisdom of Austin TX, Greg and Susan Wisdom of New York City, favorite and only niece Katie and Eric Evans of Bulverde and nephews Jeff Wisdom fo San Antonio and Tyler Tipton of Kerrville TX in addition to eleven great-nieces and nephews; Emily and Ella Wisdom of Fredericksburg TX, Avery, Rylan, and Landon of Austin TX, Calen, Palmer, and Merritt Evans of Bulverde TX and Olivia, Avery, and Hudson Tipton of Kerrville TX. He also leaves behind his close friend met during National Guard days Morrow and Robin Whited of Hurst TX. Mike was fondly referred to as Coach, Sarge, Wiz or Wizzy.

A service to celebrate Mike’s life and legacy will take place on April 11, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. at Buck Ashcraft San Benito Funeral Home, 1400 W. Business 77, San Benito, TX 78586.

You are invited to honor Michael Lee “Mike” Wisdom with a memorial donation to the charity of your choice.

“A coach will impact more young people in a year

than the average person will in a lifetime.”

– Billy Graham