Nashat Faransso

Nashat (Nat) Faransso, beloved husband, dad, grandfather (affectionately known as “Jidu”), brother, uncle, and friend entered into eternal life peacefully at home on August 16, 2024. He was born on December 1, 1942 in Mosul, Iraq, to Yacoub Faransso and Madeleine Shaya. He graduated with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Al-Mustansiriya College and worked in the oil and gas industry before immigrating to United States in 1981. He met his beloved wife Anisa (Abdulahad) in Baghdad, Iraq and they married on March 11, 1976.

Nat was with Kellogg Brown & Root (KBR) in Houston, Texas for 40 years, until his retirement from the company’s Office of the Chief Engineer in 2020. He was the company’s corporate NDE (nondestructive examination) Level III, reflecting that he had attained the highest levels of certifications recognized in the industry. As a subject matter expert, he travelled globally (and millions of miles) to oversee numerous company projects. He was also extremely active in the wider industry, having served as a member of the American Society for Nondestructive Testing (ASNT)—including as President, a Board member, Chair of the Board, and an ASNT Fellow. He was also a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), for which he served in committee leadership roles for more than three decades, and in 2016 received the organization’s highest membership rank of Fellow (a recognition given to fewer than 3% of ASME members). Nat received various awards from ASNT and ASME over the years, including (in 2014) ASNT’s Lester Honor Lecture Award and (in 2022) ASNT’s Mentoring Award, which recognizes individuals who have shown outstanding efforts in fostering the careers of colleagues. As part of his volunteer work in the industry, Nat regularly gave presentations at national and international conferences and published multiple articles, including in ASNT and American Welding Society publications. He was responsible for several industry developments, including the introduction of new testing techniques compliant with ASME standards.

Nat was a devout member of Saint Faustina Catholic Church in Fulshear, Texas, and previously of Epiphany of the Lord Catholic Community in Katy, Texas.

Nat will always be remembered as a kind, loving, principled, and hard-working man. His pride and joy was in his two accomplished children and their families. He loved to travel with his wife as they explored the beauty of this world and enjoyed a lifetime of memories together.

Nat is survived by his loving wife of 48 years, Anisa; his son Ross Faransso of Houston, Texas, daughter-in-law Sarah Reid Faransso, and their children Gabrielle (15) and Gavin (12); his daughter Tania Faransso of Washington, DC, son-in-law Matthew Gardine, and their children Jacob (8) and Eve (5); brothers Adnan, Anwar, and Samir; and numerous nephews, nieces, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents Yacoub and Madeleine, brother Matti, and sisters Janet and Evelyn.

The family wishes to thank Unity Hospice for the care and kindness they showed Nat, with special thanks to Nat’s nurse Beverly Oguayo.

A Rosary will be recited at St. Faustina Catholic Church, 28102 F.M. 1093, Fulshear, Texas, on Monday, August 26, at 12:30pm, followed by a Catholic Funeral mass (Rev Christopher Meyer, Celebrant). Interment at Forest Park Westheimer Cemetery, 12800 Westheimer, Houston, Texas 77077. All are invited to join the family at Fadi’s (12360 Westheimer Road) after the graveside service.