Dr. Sopon Nakpairat, age 94, of Frisco, Texas, passed away on Tuesday, December 6, 2022.  He was born July 10, 1928, in Chumsang, Thailand.  He grew up in this small village in central Thailand.

Sopon studied medicine in Bangkok and returned to his hometown for a short period to practice general medicine, where he recognized the need for more modern medical facilities.  He traveled to the U.S. in the late 1950’s for a general surgery fellowship, where he met his wife, Ann.  He married Ann Marie Malenky on January 20, 1961, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  Sopon and Ann returned to his hometown of Nakonsawan, Thailand, in 1962 where he raised the funds for and directed the construction of what was at the time one of the largest and most modern hospitals outside of Bangkok.  Upon completion of hospital, Sopon was personally decorated by the King with the highest civilian honor available in Thailand.  Returned to the United States with the family in 1970 to pursue a fellowship in urology.  Became a U.S. Board Certified urologist and eventually operated a private practice in Ardmore, Oklahoma, for more than 20 years.  Retired and subsequently moved to Frisco, Texas in 2001.  After retirement, Sopon returned to Thailand for visits to train with teachers in his lineage of spiritual practice which became a major focus of his remaining years.  He collected antique cameras and cars, practiced meditation and spiritual development, and enjoyed helping Ann around the house in his later years.  Sopon was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, and friend to many.  He was dearly loved and will be greatly missed by all those who knew him.

Sopon is survived by his children, Nida Von Gillern and her husband, Jack, of Plano, TX, Mike Nakpairat and his wife, Roberta, of Arlington, TX, Jim Nakpairat and his wife, Sharon, of Ann Arbor, MI; his grandchildren, Ben Tompkins, Abby Goodwin and her husband, Kyle, Madeline Tompkins, Emma Nakpairat, Molly Nakpairat, Noelle Appel, and Natalie Appel; his great-granddaughter, Kylie Ann Goodwin; and his sister, Somjit Nakpairat Thumdee.

He is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Ann Marie Nakpairat, who passed away eight days prior to Sopon

A private family memorial service will be held at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, December 28, 2022, followed by an inurnment at Ridgeview West Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Faith Presbyterian Caring Fund:

T. Boone Pickens Center/Faith Presbyterian Hospice
12477 Merit Drive, Dallas, Texas 75251
or online https://www.forefrontliving.org/donate-now/
By phone: Carol Smith (214) 355-3926