Donald Graham Kuper

Donald Graham Kuper, 90, of Plano, Texas, died Saturday, December 11, 2021, at his home in Plano.  He was born February 28, 1931, in Wendell, Idaho to Myron Alfred Sr. and Neola Graham Kuper.  He graduated from Wendell High School and attended the University of Idaho at Moscow where he achieved a bachelor’s degree in Chemistry and a master’s degree in science, graduating in June 1955.  He married Kathleen Bell of Troy, Idaho on December 24, 1954.  Upon graduation they moved to Long Beach and Concord California for Shell Oil Company.  Seeking to advance his career, in 1962 he left Shell Oil and went to work for the Atomic Energy Commission research facility located outside of Idaho Falls.  In 1963 the decision was made to go back to school at University of Idaho at Moscow to complete a Doctorate degree in Chemistry.  After graduation in 1965, Don and his growing family decided to join Phillips Petroleum Company as a research chemist located in Bartlesville, Oklahoma.  During his tenure he was credited with eight US Registered Patents dealing with plastics and polymer research and development.

He quickly moved into management where he worked as a plant manager at the Phillips Copolymer Plant located in Borger Texas, the Toledo Ohio Rubber Plant in Toledo, Ohio, and the Houston Chemical Complex located in Pasadena, Texas as the Polyethelene Plant Manager.  He retired from Phillips Petroleum Company in 1992 at which time he and his wife relocated to Plano, Texas.  Don was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and served in various roles, including Bishop, High Counselor, and temple worker. He continued to serve in his church and the community until his death.  He was known for his warm and caring heart, his sage advice and his buttermilk pancakes.  All who knew him loved him for his gentle and friendly nature.  He will be missed by all.

Survivors are his wife, Kathleen Kuper; daughter, Dennet Jones; sons, Jeff, Greg and Stan Kuper; seven grandchildren and twenty great-grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by his brother, Myron Kuper Jr., sister, Dianne Kuper and son, Bradley Kuper.

The family will receive friends at a viewing/visitation beginning one hour prior to the service at 1:00 pm on Saturday, December 18, 2021, at Allen Family Funeral Options located at 2112 W. Spring Creek Parkway, Plano, Texas.  The funeral service will begin at 2:00 pm. For those unable to attend, the service may be viewed Live or it will be recorded for future viewing at: http://webcast.funeralvue.com/events/viewer/65293

He will be buried at Wendell Cemetery located in Wendell, Idaho.  Check back soon for the graveside service information.