Francis D. Koop Jr.

Francis D Koop, Jr., beloved Husband, Father and PawPaw, passed away in Houston, Texas on November 4, 2026, at the age of 86. Francis was born at his home in Edna, Texas on September 18, 1940, to Francis and Jewel Koop.

Francis graduated from Industrial High School in May 1959. Francis then attended the University of Texas at Austin, graduating in December 1964 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering.

Francis met the love of his life, Linda Todd, in High School, and they later married in Vanderbuilt, Texas on December 22, 1960. Francis and Linda celebrated 64 years of marriage before he was called home to be with his Lord and Savior.

Francis and Linda remained in Austin, Texas after his graduation from the University of Texas where Francis worked until they moved to Houston in 1969. Francis and Linda’s first child, Lenne, was born on September 25, 1966, and was adopted from Smith Lawn Maternity Home in Lubbock, Texas. Francis and Linda’s second child, Marti, was born on April 23, 1968, in Austin, Texas.

Upon moving to Houston, Francis began his long and distinguished career working as a licensed professional civil engineer in the oil business. Francis began his career working for Fluor Ocean Services. He later began working for Lawrence & Allison during which time he and Linda were transferred to London, England. Francis and Linda lived in England until 1978, at which time they returned to the United States. In 1979, Francis and Linda moved to Quail Valley, and Francis began working for Phillips 66 in Houston. While working for Phillips 66, Francis and Linda were transferred to Norway, where they lived for 3 years. While in Norway, Francis was part of a team who made engineering history when they engineered a plan to raise 6 offshore oil platforms, at the same time, that were sinking in the Norwegian North Sea by using 124 hydraulic jacks to elevate the platforms weighing the equivalent of more than 100 Boeing 747s. From Norway, Francis and Linda were transferred to Bartlesville, Oklahoma. From Bartlesville, Francis and Linda moved to Sugar Land, Texas, after which they were transferred to South Korea and later to Singapore. From Singapore, Francis and Linda were transferred back to Sugar Land, where they currently resided until Francis’ passing.

Francis was a licensed professional civil engineer for over 50 years. On May 2, 2006, Francis was honored and received The American Society of Civil Engineers Inaugural Hall of Fame Award for pioneering innovations and for having lasting impact in civil engineering in 1974 and 1975. During the course of his career, Francis also participated in and was awarded several patents related to his civil engineering work.

Francis was quite the adventurer. Francis and Linda loved to camp and spent many months traveling around the continental United States taking in the sites and making friends. They also loved to travel internationally, and together embarked on many remarkable adventures seeing and experiencing the world.

Francis is preceded in death by his parents, Francis Koop and Jewel Virginia Williams Koop; and brothers Tobey Kent Koop and Wesley Koop. Francis is survived by his wife of 64 years Linda Todd Koop; sister Patricia McFeron; brother Lesley Koop; daughters Lenne Bryant and Marti Batson; his loving grandchildren Shelby Cordova, Mackenzie Batson and Michael Lane Batson II; and great grandchildren, Olivia Grace Cordova and Cade Matthew Cordova; along with numerous nieces and nephews.

A visitation will take place on Friday, November 13, 2026, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., at Earthman Southwest Funeral Home, 12555 S Kirkwood Rd, Stafford, TX 7747. A Celebration of Life Ceremony will be held on Saturday, November 14, 2026, at 11 a.m., at First Colony Church of Christ, 2140 First Colony Blvd, Sugar Land, TX 77479, with Ronnie Norman officiating. A grave side service will follow on Saturday, November 14, 2026, at 3 p.m., at Memory Gardens of Edna, 1300 N Kleas St, Edna, TX 77957.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Sunny Glen Childrens Home, P.O. Box 1373, San Benito, TX 78586 or the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, 34 Washington St., Ste. 230, Wellesley Hills, MA 02481.