He was my assistant news director at my first station as an anchor/reporter at KRGV in Weslaco, Texas back in 1990.
Tony was tough. I’d hand him a script to approve and then he’d pull out his red pen and proceed to mark it up for me to rewrite. Often times I’d go home to my apartment and cry, thinking he didn’t like me. Then Thanksgiving came around and he found out I wasn’t going home for the holiday, so he invited me to spend it with him, his wife Glenda and their family. Turns out I was very wrong about Tony.
Tony pushed me because he said he saw my potential and he wanted to help bring out my best. He cared about me. He became my mentor and he became my friend.
Through the years we’d stay in touch and more recently, he’d take to Facebook to tell me how proud of me he was and how he loved me like a daughter.
Two years ago, when Doug and I took a short trip to Austin, I reached out to Tony to see if we could drive to San Antonio where he and Glenda lived and have lunch. He was so excited to see us. I was thrilled to see them.
Thank God we made the time.
Tony passed away last month
I am heartbroken.
Yet I am grateful I had the opportunity to tell Tony just what he has meant to me and how much I loved him.
This past weekend Doug and I flew to San Antonio for his memorial and celebration of life.
It was beautiful, listening to just how many people Tony touched with his love, light, and wisdom.
I got to hug sweet Glenda, his wife of 42 years.
I got to see some of my former colleagues, including Rick Diaz, the news director who gave me that first on-air break.He and Tony were a terrific team and quite honestly, I might not have had the career I’ve had, if it wasn’t for them.
Rest in peace Tony, I miss you! Thank you for everything you’ve been to me. I love you, always.
GUNNAR
If you knew Gunnar, you know he was a one-of-a-kind, special dog – more human than animal. Gunnar looked imposing – all 125 pounds of
