Henry T. Kopycinski, Jr.

Henry T. Kopycinski Jr., 97, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 19, 2023 in Houston, Texas. Henry was the youngest of 7 children. He grew up on the A.P. George Ranch in Richmond, Texas where his parents, Henry Sr. and Rosie Kopycinski were sharecroppers. His father was the foreman of the ranch for many years and Henry and his brothers grew up enjoying the freedom of ranch life. He spent his youth hunting, fishing, picking cotton and playing baseball for the George Ranch baseball team. Henry and his 2 brothers were inducted into the Army during World War II and he served in the Asia Pacific theater. After the War, Henry returned home and enrolled at The University of Texas, where he was awarded a scholarship for baseball. Henry was burnt orange through and through! His biggest thrill was winning the Southwest conference and his team finished second in the College World Series that year. After college Henry was signed by the New York Yankees and played in the Yankee minor league farm system for three years. After leaving the Yankees, Henry went to work for the Wire and Cable Division of The General Electric Company, and worked there until he retired after 33 years of service. After retirement, Henry could be found at his ranch in Bedias, working at the local feed store, shooting the breeze with folks, and tending to his cattle. Henry met his wife, Laura at the Shamrock Hilton in Houston while watching a diving competition in the spring of 1950. They married and later welcomed their son John in 1952. They settled in Houston in the Oak Forest area and lived there until 2015. Henry and his family attended St. Ambrose Catholic Church where he was active in the Men’s Club, worked Bingo each week and was a regular fixture in the Barbeque booth at every Bazaar. Henry's love of baseball pushed him to become an umpire at Oaks Dads Club where he could be found each week behind home plate. He passed on his love of the game of baseball to his son John, and coached his Little League teams in Northwest Houston for many years. Henry was very proud to later watch his son John pitch for the University of Houston Baseball team during his 4 years as a Cougar. Henry was preceded in death by his wife, Laura Kopycinski. He is survived by his son, John Kopycinski, wife Teresa, and his grandchildren Keith Kopycinski and wife Jessica, Brad Kopycinski and wife Tysen, and granddaughter Julie Kopycinski. Henry was blessed with 5 great grand-children, Kala, Bruce and Vosi Kopycinski of Austin, Texas, and Jack and Jude Kopycinski of Shiner, Texas and numerous nephews and nieces. Our heartfelt condolences to Henry’s dear friend and the light and love of his life for the last six years, Dorothy Walker. Our sincerest thanks to the staff of Clayton Oaks Assisted Living in Richmond, Texas and Fairmont Hospice in Richmond, Texas for their wonderful team of caregivers and health care professionals, along with the great team of compassionate caregivers at Memorial Hermann Hospital. In lieu of flowers, we ask that contributions may be made to The 100 Club of Houston. Visitation will be held at 9:00 a.m. followed by Rosary at 10:00 a.m., and the Funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m., on Wednesday, December 27, 2023 at Sts. Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church in Damon. A graveside service will be held later that afternoon at 3:00 p.m. at Forest Park Westheimer Cemetery in Houston. Tributes and words of condolence may be left for the family at www.davisgreenlawnfh.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Davis-Greenlawn Funeral Home, 3900 B.F. Terry Blvd., Rosenberg, Texas 77471, Phone: 281-341-8800.

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Henry T. Kopycinski, Jr.

September 11, 1926 - December 19, 2023