Antonio Federico Ayala

He was born in Laredo, TX, Jan. 17, 1931, to Basilia and Federico Ayala. Tony was preceded in death by his wife, Maria Elena (Helen) Collins; his parents; granddaughter, Kelsey Renee Benedict; grandson, Ki Zane Benedict; brothers, Guillermo Molina, Alfredo Molina, Trinidad Ayala, Amado Ayala, Federico Ayala; and sisters, Hortencia Molina Pena, Guadalupe Molina, Herminia Molina Lopez, Alicia Ayala Ramos, Dolores T. Ayala, Esther Ayala.

He is survived by daughters, Victoria A. Sanchez (Alfredo), Diana R.A. Flores (David), Sandra Moore (Tim), Karen M. Sanchez (Michael), and Maria Elena Siller; sons, Antonio C. Ayala, and Daniel R. Ayala (Marleana); sister-in-law, Olga Rios Ayala; numerous grand- and great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Much of Tony’s early years were spent at his father’s dairy. Later, he was active in several clubs at Laredo Martin High School including the Yearbook Committee and played shortstop for the baseball team.

At the age of seventeen, he left home to join the United States Navy. He was assigned to the USS Sperry (AS-12), a Fulton-class submarine tender operating out of San Diego, CA. Aboard the Sperry, as an Interior Communications Electrician Third Class, he traveled to Mazatlán, Mexico, Honolulu, Hawaii, and along the California coastline.

In 1953, he met and married the love of his life, Maria Elena (Helen) Collins. Upon his honorable discharge from the Navy in 1955, Tony and Helen moved to Laredo and eventually settled in San Antonio. They were married for thirty-eight years, until Helen’s passing in 1991 at the age of 62. Tony never remarried. During their marriage, they welcomed seven children, Victoria, Diana, Antonio, Sandra, Karen, Daniel, and Maria Elena.

For 34 years, Tony worked at the San Antonio Air Logistics Center at Kelly Air Force Base as a Quality Inspector of electrical work on the huge C-5 transport aircraft.

Throughout his life, Tony had an outgoing, friendly personality. He loved his family, the Houston Astros, the Dallas Cowboys, watching golf on TV, Falstaff Beer, growing tomatoes, peppers, and other vegetables, and grilling in the backyard. He loved listening to music and collecting albums from a range of music genres including Frank Sinatra, Boots Randolph, Herb Alpert, The Four Seasons, Eydie Gormé, Johnny Cash, Marvin Gay, Vikki Carr, and Al Green. As he grew older and spent more time at home, he enjoyed watching The Price is Right, Judge Judy, and Gunsmoke.

In the eyes of his family, he will perpetually be 39 years old!

The Visitation will be held on Monday, July 6, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., with a Rosary at 7:00 p.m., Trevino Funeral Home, 226 Cupples Rd., San Antonio, Texas, 78237.

The Procession will depart from the funeral home at 9:15 a.m. on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, for a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. at St. James the Apostle Catholic Church, 907 Theo Ave., San Antonio, Texas 78225. Interment will follow at San Fernando Cemetery #2, 746 Castroville Rd., San Antonio, Texas, 78237.