Stanton Leon Koop was born March 14, 1937, in Pampa, to Harry and Eula Belle Koop. He graduated from high school at Phillips High School in 1955, and then from Texas Tech University in 1960. There he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity. Stanton married Nita Jo Huddleston in Big Spring in 1959. Together they had two children, Chris Koop and Carrie Hill.

Stanton Leon KoopStanton worked hard in the banking industry for over 30 years starting in Odessa at Odessa Savings. He then moved to Carlsbad, N.M. where he served as the President of Security Savings aand Loan for 21 years. He also served as the president of Riverside Country Club, the Jaycees, Shorthorn Little League, Campfire Girls, and United Way. Stanton moved to Lubbock in 1974 to help form West Texas Savings with former governor Preston Smith. In 1986 he moved to Dallas where he worked at Great Western Mortgage Co., until his retirement in 1994. He moved back to Lubbock in 2003.

Stanton took great pride in Texas Tech University and was an avid Red Raider all of his life. He took the most pride, however, in being a grandfather to his seven grandchildren. "Papa" was the kind of grandpa that would do absolutely anything for his grandkids. He had great character and a great sense of humor.

Papa is survived by his wife, Nita of Lubbock; two children, Chris Koop of Canyon and Carrie Hill of Lubbock; seven grandchildren, Kit Koop of Austin, Michael Hill of Austin, Karlee Koop of Lubbock, Matthew Hill of Lubbock, Kaitlin Koop of Canyon, Joseph Hill of Lubbock, and Kamron Koop of Canyon. He is also survived by his mother, Eula Belle Koop of Spring and sister, Karla Koop of Spring. Papa left to be with his Lord and Savior on Sunday, Feb. 3, 2008.