Anthony James Urbanek

Tony, known as “Jim” to family and oldest friends, was born in Central Oregon to Frances (Nelson), a third-generation Oregon homesteader, and Philip DiBartolo, a first-generation Italian immigrant. He was joined by his younger brother, “Lynn”, just 14 months later, and together the "Irish twins" spent much of their early years living with their half-German grandmother before moving full-time to Bend with their mother and stepfather.

Tony was never particularly fond of traditional education, but he had big dreams. As soon as he was old enough, he began working a variety of local labor jobs. When he wasn’t working, he could be found driving around town socializing or honing his shooting skills in the high desert sagebrush and junipers. During high school, he met Helen, a studious young lady, in an English class. Their first date to the carnival was memorable, where Tony demonstrated his impressive hand-eye coordination skills. Though she was soon to leave town for graduate studies at the University of Oregon, their connection endured.

In 1961, Tony joined the Army, hoping to be stationed in Hawaii. However, after discovering that positions there were less exciting than he’d hoped, he chose to serve in the Third Armored Division in Europe. It was during his time there that he developed a lifelong passion for tanks, WWII history, and his German heritage. He was discharged in 1964 and returned briefly to Bend, before reconnecting with Helen and moving to Eugene to start a new chapter in his life.

After Helen graduated in 1967, they married in Eugene and moved to Southern California. There, Helen began her teaching career, while Tony, after a brief enrollment at community college, found his preferred path driving a Pepsi delivery truck and joining the Operating Engineers Union. He worked on projects such as building Castaic Dam and learned the streets of Southern California like the back of his hand. In their free time, the couple hunted, explored the desert, and frequented car racing tracks, where Tony raced his '68 Mustang in local road races. Life in So Cal was good until the 1971 San Fernando earthquake prompted them to return to Oregon.

Settling in Beaverton, Tony worked as a County Deputy Sheriff and continued his work with bulldozers and excavators on the Scoggins Dam project. In 1973, he and Helen welcomed their only child, Maria. Tony remained true to his passions, spending time with fast cars (especially Corvettes and muscle cars), riding his Appaloosa horses, and perfecting his shooting skills.

In 1977, Tony started his career at Rogers Construction as a heavy equipment operator. Within a decade, he was chosen by the retiring company founder to continue leading the business, which specialized in paving roads across Oregon and supplying crushed aggregate from one of the state's oldest and largest quarries. Tony became the senior partner, and although he was forced into retirement during the last few months of his life due to health complications, he never gave up on his dream of selling the nearly 100-year-old company. His passion for physical work was evident, even while undergoing chemotherapy, as Tony went out to operate bulldozers on some small projects simply because he loved the challenge.

Tony’s adventurous spirit also led him to explore various destinations from Alaska to Costa Rica. He cherished spending time with lifelong friends, attending the Reno Air Races, driving performance boats, and restoring and modifying classic muscle cars for drag racing. However, the true joy of his life was his two half-Blue Heeler dogs, Rio and Calvin, who shared in many adventures along the West Coast over the span of 25 years.

In his final 2.5 years, Tony fought valiantly against the effects of experimental cancer treatments, which included chemotherapy, radiation, and a debilitating 10-hour surgery. Despite many setbacks and being counted out by the medical community, he persevered with the unwavering support of his immediate family. His final 48 hours in the hospital battling unrelenting sepsis were spent with his devoted daughter and son-in-law by his side. Though he had endured so much, he was ready for peace, leaving behind a legacy of strength, resilience, and dedication.

Tony was preceded in death by his beloved mother and younger brother. He is survived by his loyal wife, his dutiful daughter, son-in-law, a son he never had the pleasure of knowing, a long-lost brother, five grandsons, three granddaughters, two great-granddaughters, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, and dozens of cousins spanning several generations. He will be missed by many who knew him, from his vast circle of acquaintances to his small group of close, dear friends.

Tony was a generous donor to many causes over the years, including family, friends, and various charities. In his honor, the family asks that donations be made to a charity of your choice or one that aligns with Tony’s passions.

Please feel welcome to share your sincere condolences, warm memories, and cherished photos on this page to be seen by Anthony's friends, family, and all who loved him.