In April, Texas Christian University (TCU) awarded Michael Soper, class of 1989, its 2024 Valuable Alumni Award. Soper is president and CEO of Legacy Funeral Group (Houston), which owns and operates 160 funeral homes, cemeteries and crematories across eight states. Each year, TCU proudly acknowledges individuals who exemplify outstanding commitment and support for the university’s mission.

After graduating in 1989 with a bachelor’s degree, Soper began his career at Kanaly Trust Company. He later served as vice president at Southwest Guaranty Trust Company, which gave him oversight of investment management for funeral homes across 34 states. Before founding Legacy in 1998, he served as president of Memorial Pre-Care, a prearranged funeral and burial benefits company.

Soper is a graduate of St. Thomas High School in Houston, where he serves on the foundation board of directors. He is active in the Young Presidents Organization, where he served as chairman of its Gold Chapter. He is a past member of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International Board of Directors and a board member of the TCU Neely School of Business (Entrepreneurship Institute). In 2017, Soper was named services winner for the Ernst & Young Gulf Coast Area Entrepreneur of the Year. legacyfuneralgroup.com