Francis Aziz Kobty

Francis "Prince" Kobty passed away peacefully in his sleep on May 25, 2021. Francis was born in Nazareth, Israel on November 15, 1957 and was the youngest of 6 children. He came to the United States in 1979 as a young man in search of the American Dream. His hard work, tenacity, honesty and loyalty helped him find it. The most important things in Francis' life were his family and friends. Francis had a heart as big as the Texas sky. When you met him, you knew there was something special. If you knew him, you were automatically part of his family and he'd do anything for you. He was always smiling and never one to look at the glass half empty. Francis met the love of his life, Amira, and married her in 1986. They built their life together in Arlington, Texas raising 4 kids, Hani, Aziz, Vivian & Elizabeth. His kids were his pride and joy, as a man who lost his father at a young age to cancer, Francis made a point of always being there for his children. Francis was a serial entrepreneur, born from a long line of painters. He worked in construction, real estate and was a restaurateur. His legacy is his family restaurant called Prince Lebanese Grill. Francis defined southern hospitality mixed his Arabic roots and feeding people was his way of showing it. Francis's passion rubbed off on his entire family. His children, nieces and nephews all worked for the family business at one time or another serving our community over the years. Francis was beloved by his friends and known for his kind and generous heart. He always gave more than he took, and tried to leave everything he came across, just a little bit better than he found it. To his friends and family, Francis was the life of the party. Never one to shy away from attention, and always offering non-negotiable advice. With Francis you always knew where you stood. He told it like it was, and rarely apologized for it. He did not know the word quit. He was relentless. He was tough as nails, beating cancer without a flinch and never complaining about it. He rarely even talked about it. Francis lived many lifetimes in the short time he was on this earth, always traveling to visit friends and new places. He loved to work more than any man should and he loved to help others. He was constantly giving his time and resources to his friends and community. Francis Kobty is survived by his lovely wife, Amira; sons, Hani & Aziz; his daughters, Elizabeth, Vivian and her husband, Ross Garrity; his brothers, Farid Kobty and his wife, Hala, Faiez Kobty, Victor Kobty and his wife, Noalle; sisters, Fadia and her husband, Dwight Hanson, Freda and her husband, Elias Farran; as well as countless other aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. Services: Francis viewing will be held at Wade Family Funeral Home in Arlington, Texas on Friday May 28, 2021 from 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. with a rosary beginning at 8:30 p.m. A memorial service and celebration of his extraordinary life will be held at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Arlington, Texas at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 29, 2021. A graveside service will follow at Moore Memorial Gardens in Arlington, Texas. We are thankful for our time with him and for the lessons he taught us. Francis was a bright light to everyone he encountered, and the world is much dimmer from his departure. Gone too soon, but forever in our hearts. Wade Family Funeral Home (817) 274-9233