Anthony Tony Castellanos

He was born October 9, 1933 in Mercedes, Texas.

He attended grade school in San Benito and graduated with honors from Brownsville High School where he was very active in the Golden Eagle Band. Upon graduation he attended Southwest Texas State Teachers College in San Marcos for one year before enrolling in Ministerial Studies at Morningside College in Sioux City, Iowa; but the strong desire to teach brought him back to Southwest Texas State Teachers College where he received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education in 1956.

Tony taught English for one year at Brownsville High School before the lure of teaching music became a reality. Choirs at Brownsville ISD Faulk, Stell, Central Junior High Schools and at the St. Joseph's Academy/Villa Maria High Schools, as well as the First Methodist Church on Washington Street and the Brownsville Community Choir were all under Tony's baton from 1957 to 1966. During these years the school choirs competed in UIL Music Contests and won First Division ratings in Mixed Chorus, Boys Chorus and Girls Chorus from 1957 to 1963, as well as receiving Outstanding in Concert, Mixed, Boys, and Girls Choruses at the Buccaneer Music Festival and at Our Lady of the Lake University Music Festival between 1957 and 1965. In addition, his students were featured as Honor Choir at the 1961 Texas Choral Directors Association State Convention in San Antonio.

Always believing a person should continue learning and improving ones self, Tony returned to Southwest Texas State University and received a Masters Degree in Education and his Superintendency Certification.

In 1966 Tony joined the Edgewood ISD teaching staff and became the Director of the John F. Kennedy High School "Mighty Rocket" Band. The band received Excellent ratings in Concert and Superior ratings in Marching and Sight Reading at UIL Competition from 1969 to 1973. Road trips were taken to Mexico City at the invitation of the Mexican Government 1969, performed at half-time for the New Orleans Saints 1971, and was named Outstanding Marching Band at Houston Thanksgiving Parade 1972. The "Mighty Rocket" Band was also featured as Honor Band at Battle of the Bands Music Festival 1968, 1970, and 1972.

In 1973 Tony was named Principal of John F. Kennedy High School. For the next two years he increased average daily attendance and raised achievement test scores, established first in-school suspension program in the District, developed and implemented departmental six-weeks and "Ring Ceremony" now a district standard to name only a few accomplishments.

In 1975 Tony served as Assistant Superintendent for Administrative Services for one year and as Assistant Superintendent for Education for the next 24 years until his retirement in 2000.

Tony was married on August 21, 1959 and is survived by his wife BeverlyAnn, two sons Anthony Wade Marie and Kyle Hirt, one grandson Christopher Wade, two sisters Blanca Lopez Alex and Susana Vera, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Maria de los Angeles Castellanos and a sister, Amelia Hilda.

The family wishes to thank the many friends that either visited or sent cards of encouragement during Tony's courageous battle with lymphoma.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made either to CTRC or Hospice or the Margaret R. Wilson Scholarship Fund for future teachers at First Mark Credit Union.