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Christopher Leon Kopecky, MD, passed away after a long and fruitful life on January 22, 2026. He was born on September 22, 1945, in San Antonio, Texas, to parents Leon Charles Kopecky, MD, and Ina Moodie Calhoun Kopecky, MD. After growing up in San Antonio, Chris attended the University of Texas at Austin. After graduation, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Medical Service Corps and trained at Fort Sam Houston. He served as a platoon leader and company commander in the historic Third Armored Division in Germany. He was later deployed to Vietnam, where he was the adjutant for the Third Field Hospital in Saigon. There he was promoted to captain and was awarded the Bronze Star. He immensely enjoyed the opportunity to serve his country. Upon returning to civilian life, Chris attended business school at Texas Christian University, but he ultimately chose to follow his family tradition of practicing medicine. His grandfather and father were lifelong doctors, and his mother was one of the first women to graduate from the University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston. Chris received his MD from the University of Texas in San Antonio and completed his residency in internal medicine at the University of Washington in Seattle. He returned to San Antonio for a fellowship in cardiology, after which he went into practice with his father. He continued to practice cardiology until his retirement in 2023. Chris was an exceptionally devoted healer and friend to countless patients in Texas and around the country. He considered every patient a friend in need, and he was unfailingly and enormously generous with his time and resources. He made himself available day and night to serve others. Chris was an avid outdoorsman who loved to cultivate an ever-changing menagerie of exotic animals on his farm and ranch properties. He also cherished the friendships and camaraderie of the many organizations with which he was affiliated, including the Texas Cavaliers, the Order of the Alamo, the German Club, The Argyle, and the San Antonio Country Club, among others. He was famous across San Antonio for both his wit and his sartorial flair – heaven just got a little more colorful. Chris was preceded in death by his sister Kathleen Kopecky Henri of Houston and Judith Kopecky Haight of New Orleans. He is survived by his loving wife, Lisa Chamness Kopecky; his children, Caroline Finkelstein (Jeremy Finkelstein, MD) of Houston, Chase Kopecky (Tiffany Thompson) of Los Angeles, and CeCe Thompson (Will Thompson) of San Antonio; his grandchildren, Alex Finkelstein, Max Finkelstein, Clara Pryor Thompson, and Grace Thompson; his brother, Stephen Kopecky, MD (Linda Kopecky); his in-laws, Bill Henri, Ronald Chamness (Maria Chamness), and Holly Chamness; and his nieces and nephews, Michael Henri, Alex Henri, MD, Elizabeth Henri Atton, Emily Kopecky Miller, Katy Kopecky, MD, Ben Kopecky, MD, Lucia Chamness, and Mateo Chamness. The family would like to thank his compassionate caregivers: Dr. Pedro Calzada, Dr. Jerome Hahn, Imelda Galvan, Aldo Galvan, Gustavo Diaz, Marek Sieczynski, Jessica Robles, Page Ortiz, Marcia Fields, and Mary Kay Tennett. Chris will be deeply missed and remembered by all who knew him. Servings as Honorary Pallbearers are Ronald Chamness; Wayne Christiansen; Jeremy Finkelstein, M.D.; Alex Henri, M.D.; Bill Henri; Steve Honigbloom; Stephen Kopecky, M.D.; John Lupe; Bobby Nail; Leo Quintinilla; John T. Steen Jr. ; Edward G. Steves; Sam Bell Steves III; Whitley Strieber; Will Thompson; Robert Dixon Tips; Paul Tripplehorn; Sam Bell Steves II and Ted Weiss. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. https://www.mdanderson.org/donors-volunteers/donate/honor-loved-ones.html

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Christopher Leon Kopecky, M.D.

September 22, 1945 - January 22, 2026