A. T. Mendoza

Antonio Tobin (A. T.) Mendoza, 97, passed away Friday, March 24, 2017, at his home in Santa Anna, Texas. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, March 30, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 303 E. College, Coleman, by Msgr. Robert Bush, long-time priest and friend of the Mendoza family. Msgr. Bush will also officiate at the committal service at the Santa Anna Cemetery. Services are under the direction of Stevens Funeral Home, Coleman.

Mr. A. T. Mendoza was born November 7, 1919 in San Diego, Duval County, Texas, a son of Beatriz Tobin and Vidal Mendoza, Sr. As a young man, he graduated from high school in San Diego, Texas, in 1938, then enlisted in the Army, with his two best friends, in 1940. He was stationed at Kelly Field near Odessa where he met and married Lois Miller. During World War II he served in the European Theater of Operations and fought in the Battle of Normandy and other engagements in Northern France and Central Europe. Following his honorable discharge from the Army in October 1945, he returned to live in Odessa where he and Lois spent many happy years together, raising six children, Tony, Beth, Chris, Drew, Katie and Patrick. They moved to Santa Anna in 2003 and had celebrated 66 years of marriage at the time of her death on June 11, 2008.

In addition to his wife, Lois, he was also preceded in death by a son Drew, three sisters, Josephine M. Chavez, Lilia T. Mendoza and Beatriz M. Saenz; and brothers Albino T. Mendoza and Vidal Mendoza, Jr. and grandson Matthew Thomas Mendoza.

Survivors include children, Tony Mendoza and wife, Joan, of Kerrville, Beth Worley and husband, Bill, of Santa Anna, Christopher Mendoza of Killeen, Katie Bailey and husband, Randy, of Santa Anna, Patrick Mendoza and wife, Rocio, of Eagle Pass; fourteen grandchildren, Gabrielle Aguilar, Dustin Mendoza, Amanda Mendoza, William M. Worley, A. K. “Buck” Worley, Katie Worthington, Jean Walston, Christopher Mendoza, Jacob Mendoza, Amie Hazlett, Judy Carmona, Jessica Rochelle, Alec Mendoza and Emilio Mendoza; thirty two great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Connie Tucker of Azle; many nieces and nephews.

As he loved animals, the family asks that memorials be made to the Humane Society of Coleman County, P. O. Box 282, Coleman, Texas 76834.

Rosary will be led by Patrick Mendoza, A. T.’s son, at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 29, in Stevens Funeral Home Chapel, 400 W. Pecan Street, Coleman, Texas.

Please offer online condolences to the family at www.livingmemorials.com.

“Everything will be alright in the end, if it’s not alright – it is not the end.”