Antonio Robles Jr.

Antonio is survived by his mother Casimira Robles, wife Dora, sons Antonio and Javier, daughter in laws Dana and Andrea, and granddaughters Cara, Olivia, and Gabriella.

On Sept 12, 2021, Antonio unexpectedly passed in Katy, Tx, and rejoined his family in heaven including his father, Antonio Sr, his sisters Evangelina and Martina, his father in law Willie, mother in law Cruz, and his brother in law Rudy and sister in law Candy.

Antonio was a strong man of faith, a loving man of family, a kind man who served his country and community with tremendous heart and grace. Recited the rosary every single night offering it up to our Mother Mary, and for humanity, especially for world peace.

Antonio was a gentle giant, a leader by example, a protector to those in need, a volunteer to good causes, a hard worker that provided for his family, a loyal friend that enjoyed joking and uplifting spirits.

Antonio lived a simple life and in his youth enjoyed exploring the woods on his grandfathers ranch, hunting small game with his cousins and friends, playing peewee baseball, competing in high school football for the Boling Bulldogs, learning the saxophone and guitar, playing Tejano music with his band mates, especially The Emeralds, honing his physical fitness thru Shotokan karate and weightlifting. In later years, he enjoyed more leisure activities like family camping trips to Gardner State Park, fishing the jetties, watching Katy HS football games, going to the movie theaters, taking photos and creating slideshows, woodworking, and making dairies for his granddaughters.

After high school, Antonio enlisted in the United States Army in 1971. After completing boot camp at Fort Polk in Louisiana, he was assigned to Fort Shafter in Oahu, HI, home of the US Army Pacific Command, supporting combat operations of USCINCPAC (pronounced CIN-PAC) strategy during the Vietnam War. He later was assigned to the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, then Kitzingen Army Airfield in Kitzingen, Germany, and lastly Fort Leavenworth in Leavenworth, Kansas. After serving 8 years with the US Army, Antonio decided to return to civilian life and was honorably discharged in 1979 with the rank of Specialist, 5th Class.

In 1980, after contacting the HR department week after week, Antonio was hired by IBM to fill a mailroom position. It wasn't the position he was hoping to obtain, but he jumped on the opportunity to join a reputable company with the self belief that he could work his way into a position that was more involved in the field of electronics. As the world of computers and networking evolved, Antonio obtained a position as a Field Support Tech where he was trained a how to build, install, configure, integrate and troubleshoot computer and network systems. One of his highlights with IBM was being a part of the IBM team that supported the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta. On Friday, July 26, 1996, Antonio received a call that his grandfather, Julian Munos, passed away. Antonio jumped on a return flight to Houston late Friday night to be with his family. Ironically, the next day, at the Centennial Olympic Park where he and his team members would often visit to listen to concerts, a bombing at the park occurred. In 2015, after 35 years of service, Antonio decided to retire from his position as a Team Lead of Field Support Technicians shortly after undergoing heart valve replacement surgery.

Antonio kept busy after retirement by continuing his volunteer efforts. During his lifetime, Antonio was a lecturer at St. Bartholomew Catholic Church in Katy. He manned the phone lines at the annual Jerry Lewis telethons. He raised money and participated in walks for the March of Dimes, including a 25 mile walk during the early 80s. He supported food and supply distribution during the holidays and disaster relief efforts. He greeted people at the MD Anderson hospital and shuttled patients at Methodist Hospital always trying to uplift peoples spirits thru hospitality, respect and light hearted humor. Antonio also served as a member of the VFW Honor Guard as a way to pay his respect to those whom also served their country.

One of his finest volunteer efforts was regarding his preservation work of the hispanic cemetery in the city of Wharton. The cemetery, where many of his ancestors were buried, was defunded of cemetery maintenance and was at risk of being declared abandoned. Antonio, along with a handful of others, maintained the cemetery grounds, raised money, and worked with the Texas Historic Cemetery commission to provide documentation required for the State of Texas to know of the cemetery's existence. The groups preservation work laid the foundation for the hispanic cemetery in Wharton to receive a Texas Historic Cemetery designation and soon a Texas Historical marker will be on display at the cemetery. If you visit the cemetery, you can see Antonio's handwork via a large wooden cross placed in the middle of the cemetery.

Through his cemetery preservation efforts, Antonio discovered his deep roots in both Texas and Mexico. Antonio's ancestors were among the first Canary Islander families to settle San Antonio and fought in the early Texas Revolutionary battles. Some of his ancestors are documented as being born in La Bahia in Goliad as late as 1876.

In addition, Antonio had a high percentage of indigenous blood. His father's father line can be traced back to a place known as the Rancho de San Ysidro near a town known then as Cedros in Mexico where records listed people as indios. Thru DNA testing, he discovered his relation to a Clovis Paleo Indian child whom was buried over 12,000 years ago and one of the oldest burial sites that was discovered by accident on a farm in Montana.

Antonio had a rich history, lived a humble life, and provided a priceless gift to those with memory of him. He is loved by many and will truly be missed. God willing, he will be working the hospitality desk in heaven ready to greet us with his smile, his unique laugh, and a good clean joke.

A visitation for Antonio will be held Wednesday, September 29, 2021 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at St Ignatius Loyola Catholic Community Church, 7810 Cypresswood Dr, Spring, TX 77379. A funeral mass will occur Wednesday, September 29, 2021 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM, 7810 Cypresswood Dr, Spring, TX 77379. A reception will occur Wednesday, September 29, 2021 from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM at American Heritage Funeral Home, 10710 Veterans Memorial Drive, Houston, TX 77038. A committal service will occur Wednesday, September 29, 2021 from 1:45 PM to 2:15 PM at Houston National Cemetery, 10410 Veterans Memorial Drive, Houston, TX 77038.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.AmericanHeritageFuneralHome.com for the Robles family.