Antonio Esteban Luna

Antonio E. Luna, born November 8th, 1931, of Colton California, passed away peacefully at the age of 88 on October 30th, 2020 after a long battle with cancer. He was born to his father Crispin Marquez Luna and mother, Francisca Aguilar Luna, in San Bernardino, California. Among the youngest of a large family of brothers and sisters, he attended San Bernardino schools and developed a natural interest in Art and Aviation.

Antonio joined the U.S. Air Force in 1951 where he graduated as a Sr. Instrument Mechanic and served in the Korean Conflict while stationed in Japan. During his two years in Japan, his passion to learn precision artistic skills like silk screening, wood joinery and precision tooling would lead to a lifelong passion for art and engineering. During his time overseas only one thing was more important and beautiful than the precision of Japanese art; it was his desire to return after his tour to his wife Helen Dorado Luna after being married in May 1951 prior to his deployment. “Tony” as he was known to his friends returned to Dover, Delaware where he would reunite with his newborn son Crispin and wife. From Delaware the newly reunited Luna family would transition to Philadelphia, PA. where their second son, Robert Anthony Luna would be born in 1954. When Tony left the Air Force, he would soon rely on his precision engineering and art skills to develop a career as an aerospace design specialist in Downey Ca, where their next three children, Johnny Michael Luna, Antonio E. Luna Jr. and Elizabeth Elaine Luna would be born. His love for design and natural ability to problem solve would propel his skillset into a design career for; North American Aviation, Rockwell International, Accuride and eventually he would retire from Aerojet General in Azusa, CA.

He was an honest, hard-working man that instilled a love of country and public service into his children, as three of his sons became Police Officers and a Firefighter. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and with his brother in laws a member of the Masonic Temple for well over 50 years. He follows his wife Helen, sons Robert and Antonio Jr., into eternal life where he will with no doubt make his “Tony” presence felt by us still here loving in his memory. He is survived by his brothers Steve of Moreno Valley, Maria of Grand Terrace and Rebecca of San Bernardino, sons Crispin of Colton, Johnny of Moreno Valley, and daughter Elizabeth of Escondido. Tony played a role as both Father and Grandfather to many of his ten grandchildren. Antonio Luna Sr. will be remembered in his thirteen great grandchildren and his two great-great grandchildren every time a piece of art is produced, or any machinery taken apart and MAYBE put back together. He will be remembered by each of his family members in different ways, for different skills or simply for moments that have gone unresolved.

…Know this, his love and desire for his family’s happiness was expressed for all his family members during his last months. His warm smile and joyful joking personality will be sincerely missed.