Gilbert Francis Choppin
Gilbert Francis Choppin passed away peacefully on November 28, 2024, in Houston, Texas. Choppin was born on November 20, 1939 in New Orleans, Louisiana where his father Gilbert Peter Choppin worked as a bookkeeper for a number of companies and, ultimately, as an insurance manager for the City of New Orleans. Gil was raised in New Orleans, the hometown of his father. His mother, Nellie Marie Choppin (maiden name Guidroz), was born in Carencro, Louisiana. His parents originally met in Eagle Lake, TX but soon relocated and raised their family in New Orleans in the areas of City Park and Lakeview.
After graduating from Saint Aloysius High School in 1958, he earned a Bachelor’s degree with a double major in English and Journalism from the Communications College at the University of Southwestern Louisiana (USL)– home of the Rajun’ Cajuns. While at USL he perfected his love of journalism and writing as chief editor of the school newspaper, The Vermillion, for two years and was a member of the Epsilon-Chi chapter of Kappa Sigma. It was at USL that he would meet Kay—who would soon become his college sweetheart and later his bride.
Deeply devoted to his family, he was preceded in death by his parents and older brother Gregory (Anne). He is survived by Linda Kay Choppin, his beloved wife of 61 years, his sons Doug (Joanne), Stephen (Jane), Mark and Matthew and his “favorite” (and only) daughter Jennifer (Timothy Daigle); his grandchildren Lauren, Tyler Daigle (Anne-Kathryn), Brooke, Kayla Daigle and Emily Kate; his brother Gerald (Joy) and both of his brother’s sons and daughters and their families.
His long career in advertising and marketing began in Lafayette, Louisiana and took him and Kay from there to Madison, Wisconsin back to New Orleans and then led him to Dallas, Texas. It was in Dallas that Gil worked as an Advertising Manager at Bloom Advertising and was introduced to the airline industry while working on Braniff Airlines, as well as a little-known startup called Southwest Airlines. From Southwest he moved on to become the Director of Marketing at Texas International Airlines (which became Continental), this became the path that eventually led him to his final home to raise his family in Houston, TX. With ever an entrepreneurial spirit at heart, he resigned from Continental and founded his own advertising agency, Vantage Marketing, in 1986. Vantage would be his last place of employment until the day he retired. At Vantage he developed marketing programs for Continental’s Presidents Club, their airport branding and wrote and produced the Continental Vacation Planner.
Gil’s true passion was always his family. He took great pride in the accomplishments of his children. He reveled in family holidays, spending time in the outdoors (both in the Colorado mountains and at their Galveston bayhouse) and welcomed with deep joy the arrival of all five of his grandchildren (and, as fate would have it, the announcement of his first-ever great grandchild just two weeks before his passing). Gil and Kay raised a special needs child, Mark, at their home until his final days and were forever devoted to caring for his needs. When not at their home Mark would spend time in the care of Hope Village in Friendswood, Texas.
Gil was also a devout catholic, having served as an altar boy in his youth. He took great pride in having never missed a mass service until illness forced him to this past year. He and Kay were founding members, and remained active members until his recent passing, of St. Bernadette Catholic Church in Clear Lake City, Texas.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Foundation for Hope Village, 15403 Hope Village Road, Friendswood, Texas 77546 (https://hope-village.com/donate).
Visitation will take place at Crowder Funeral Home (https://www.crowderfuneralhome.com) at 1645 East Main Street, League City, Texas 77573 on December 12, 2024 beginning at 6 pm. The following day (December 13, 2024) a Mass service will take place at St. Bernadette Catholic Church at 15500 El Camino Real, Houston, Texas 77062 at 10:30 am and will be followed by a reception in the church’s Parish Hall. Graveside services for the family will take place the following day, Saturday, December 14, 2024 at Mt. Olivet Cemetery at 7801 Gulf Freeway, Dickinson, Texas 77539 at 12:00 pm.
Great father, great husband, great friend and brother. A true Kappa Sigma at heart. A caring man, I would challenge any other to try and do better with his life. Good luck! Gil Choppin was a great man! He will be forever missed.
What a pleasure it has been to have Gil as a friend and Kappa Sigma Fraternity brother. I will miss him and his reminders for me to watch ping pong in the olympics and the little league world series. Visits with Gil and Kay have always been get togethers to look forward to.
My first introduction to Gil was in 1995 to help him with a business project for Continental Airlines. We became fast, close friends and continued that relationship right up until his passing. He was a true gentleman, always, and fiercely loyal. I owe Gil a ton of thanks for helping to make my business a success. Folks…there aren’t many out there like Gil Choppin. I was privileged to have him in my life.
Thank you Mark, Dad always considered you part of the Vantage family and so do I
My sincere condolences to the family. Gil was a lovely man with whom had the pleasure of working through Continental Airlines and Vantage Marketing for most of my 12 year career at Continental. He was kind, patient, supportive and just a real rare and wonderful person.
Carol, so glad to hear from you, hope you are doing well. Those were crazy fun times , glad you were part of it
Gil set the bar high for Kappa Sigma pledges and younger brothers, not by demanding it, but by living an exemplar life. Clearly, from reading his obituary, he continued a righteous lifestyle worthy of emulating. RIP Brother, AEKDB
One of our best neighbors for the last 45 years since we moved to Clear Lake. You will be missed. Our sincere condolences to the family.
Patrick & Rhena O’Neal
I completely agree with what Tim Daigle expressed in his comment. Your father lived such a remarkable life and had a unique ability to make everyone around him feel comfortable and at ease. I am heartbroken for you during this difficult time, and I deeply regret the loss of such a wonderful person. Please know that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. May you find comfort in God’s love and grace as you navigate through this
As Noted byJoel Gooch, Gill certainly behaved like an Older big brother to me when I first met him as a pledge of Kappa Sigma in the fall of 1961. He quickly recruited me to assist his efforts at putting together the Southwestern student Yearbook. Of course, in those days, there were no computers so everything was done manually like pasting pictures onto a layout sheet. Very laborious labor, but certainly necessary to end up with a great annual school yearbook.
Decades later, ironically, I found myself in the business of photographing high school students so their pictures might be placed into their school yearbook.
Sincerely,
J. Grider Lee
Picture It Studios
Denver, Colorado
God blest Gil with a beautiful and productive life. He was a supportive husband and father of five children while creating a vibrant business. As my brother in law, I will miss him at family gatherings but know that he rests in peace with our Lord.
Loved him. Wish I had seen more of him. I’m sure he will be missed!
Grandpa Gil, you were loved and cherished. Your wisdom was a blessing for each of your grandchildren, and your legacy will live on. Your great grandson will be born here in the Spring, and I will tell him all of the stories about his great Grandfather. I will miss you Grandpa. Until we meet again.
My sincere condolences to the family. I was Mr. Choppin exterminator for 6 years. Mr. Choppin always made me feel welcomed in his home! He always had a smile on his face even as his health was declining. I always looked forward to seeing him and his lovely wife. He will be missed.