Emil "Tony" Frank Tonozzi Jr.

Tony was born September 12, 1939, in Lamar, Colorado to Wilda and Emil Tonozzi. Growing up Tony trained racehorses alongside his father. Tony’s love for horses followed him throughout his life and he grew up to become an incredible mentor to young men in the team roping and rodeo world. Many of his mentees describe him as “changing their lives forever for the better.” Tony enjoyed spending time with friends and family as he shared his wisdom and skillset, which included team roping, rodeo, and wrestling. Every child and grandchild of Tony’s knows how to wrestle because he made sure to spend time teaching each one.

In 1958 Tony married Dolores Moyer in Holly, CO. They had a beautiful marriage that spanned sixty-five years. The two of them had four children: Bret, Michelle, Stacey, and Trevor. They also have 14 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

Tony was predeceased by parents Wilda and Emil Tonozzi, son Trevor Tonozzi, his grandson Ryan Swim, and his two brothers Joseph and Roger Tonozzi.

Services will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 1210 171/2 Road Fruita, CO, on Saturday, January 27, 2024, at 11:00 am.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, an organization Tony felt strongly about.

There will be a memorial roping this spring, details will be released soon.