Tony was born on April 22, 1924 in Gulf, Texas, Matagorda County to Julio Moreno and Josefita Salinas de Marroquin. His parents were from Nuevo Leon, Mexico, the village of Villaldama. On October 21, 1950, Tony married Gloria, “the love of his life,” and together they celebrated their lives as one for 68 years.
In 1943 Tony was drafted. The navy was his military choice and he immediately became a serviceman during WW II. His training was as a pharmacist mate. He responded to a request to serve as a corpsman with the U.S. Marines, 5th Division when they were assigned to capture Iwo Jima. Their military goal was to capture this volcanic island that would be used as an airfield to fuel bomber plane missions headed for the Japanese islands and Saipan. Tony’s role was to attend to wounded Marines. His 70 pound backpack contained medical supplies to provide First Aid to the wounded quickly, in order to send them to medical stations or offshore hospital ships. Due to the nature of this island, with its numerous tunnels, the Marines spent 36 days to clear the island. Tony was the only one of three Corpsmen of the 5th Division blessed to survive the ordeal. The battle for Iwo Jima had the highest percentage of casualties and deaths of any battle in WW II.
After Tony’s discharge in 1946, he received his Associates Degree from Wharton Junior College then moved to The University of Texas to pursue a degree in Spanish. “But then I met and eventually married Gloria Gutierrez, a beautiful girl I met at El Buen Pastor Presbyterian Church.”
Tony was employed for 37 years as a postal claims clerk with the U.S. Post Office. His community and outreach activities were many and varied. He sang tenor in the choirs of El Buen Pastor, Hyde Park, University of Texas, Wilshire, and Covenant Presbyterian Churches. He was also a tenor in Ben Hur Shriners Chanters and Scottish Rite choirs. Tony also went on a mission trip to Cuba, was host for Interfaith Hospitality Network, and served in many roles at Manos de Cristo, including registration, food pantry, and back to school closet. He was also a facilitator for Spanish-speaking parents and their children who were being transported by the Ben Hur Shrine to the Houston Shrine Crippled Children’s or Galveston Shrine Burn Hospitals.
Tony was a Master Mason at Onion Creek Lodge for 65 years and Scottish Rite Ben Hur Shrine for 50 years. He also enjoyed playing his harmonicas, dancing with his beloved Gloria, and their extensive world travels. He was an assistant Scout Master for Troops 49 and 399 in Austin.
Tony is preceded in death by his wife Gloria. He is survived by his children Judy Moreno Funk and husband Richard of Lago Vista and Anthony J. Moreno and wife Sera of Temple. Also grandchildren Richard A. Funk and wife Rachael, Ryan D. Funk, Olivia Griggs and husband Adrian, Anthony R. Moreno and wife Kate, and Travis M. Moreno. Great grandchildren Reese and Vivienne Funk, Wilhelmina Funk, and Samuel A. Moreno.
The family requests in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Tony’s name to Manos de Cristo, 4911 Harmon Ave, Austin, TX 78751, Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, P.O. Box 199300, Dallas, TX, or Onion Creek Lodge #220, P.O. Box 150727, Austin, TX, 78715
The family wants to thank the directors, Ray and Charlotte Atkinson, and the entire staff of Avalon Memory Care in Cedar Park for their dedicated care of both Tony and Gloria. Also thanks to Hospice Austin Nurse Shelly Robichaux, Rhenna and Miranda of Hospice for their unfailing dedication, love and service to both Tony and Gloria.
