Antonio “Tony” D. Najera

SAN BENITO—Our beloved Antonio “Tony” D. Najera, born on March 17, 1935, in Progreso, Texas, to Guadalupe Antonio D. NajeraM. and Estefana D. Najera, will always be remembered for the love he had towards his family, his amazing gift at making friends all over the Valley, his hard work as a migrant farmworker and as a master landscaper. Antonio, known by many as Tony, lived the life of 10 men by the strength in his back, hands, and heart.
On February 20, 2016, Tony entered eternal peace and heaven gained a strong and beautiful angel. He was surrounded by his loving family, whom never left his side. Throughout his life, Tony was the true testament of what a hard-working man is. Whether it was demonstrated by his early start as a migrant worker at the age of 9, in the stories he fondly shared with his family about picking an entire bale of cotton in a day with his own hands or his delight in providing years of beauty by planting each of the two oak trees every new home built by U.S. Homes received. We know his spirit will continue to grow strong and unyielding with each tree he so proudly bestowed. Tony loved to decorate for holidays and took such pride in his work by creating amazing Christmas displays full of lights and cheer, as well as Halloween, when he would create his own legendary haunted yard with custom characters that brought joy not only to his children and grandchildren but also to the children in the neighborhood. Tony was a simple man that had principles of hard work and kindness. He took great pride in all his work. Tony enjoyed his days fishing, landscaping, planting spring seeds, birds, his cigarettes, all types of sweets, coffee, and loved to eat – and when he ate it always looked like he was feasting on the finest of foods and you could not help but want what he was eating. Tony attended mass and had a deep and profound faith in the Catholic word.
In 1956, he married Dolores Ybarra, and together they began a loving family that loved him dearly. Tony had a passion for friendship and kindness. He had friends throughout the Valley. We know he was loved by many and will never be forgotten. Rather, we are all blessed to have infinite loving memories to rejoice in and share with future generations of the Najera clan.
His roles as a son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather will always be cherished. He served his family with profound love and commitment as a father to his children, Maria Estela Najera-Garza (John+), Velma N. Cortez (Roger), and Alma Donaghy (Paul); to his grandchildren, Joseph Rodriguez, Valerie C. Paredes, Anthony Cortez, John William Garza, Troy and Lucas Donaghy; and to his great-grandchildren, Eric, Julian, and Hannah Rodriguez, and Destiny and Faith Garza, brother Guadalupe Najera, Jr. (Linda), sisters Adela Mendez (Manuel+), Maria Guadalupe Rodriguez (Victor+), Maria del Rosario Garza (Felix), Petra Cuevas, Rebecca Chavez (Jose Luis), Juanita Najera, Uncle Jose Davila (Mache+), and numerous nieces and nephews. He also enjoyed being a brother to his surviving siblings and an uncle to many.
Expecting to greet Tony at heaven’s doors are his beloved parents Guadalupe and Estefana Najera, infant daughter Maria Elena Najera, brother Nicolas Najera and sisters Yolanda Najera and Teresita Gonzales.
Visitation for our beloved Antonio “Tony” D. Najera was held at the San Benito Funeral Home on Monday, February 22, with a private viewing held for the family between 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. and a viewing for all friends and family held from 3:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m., with a rosary recited at 7:00 p.m.
Funeral Mass was held on Tuesday, February 23 at 12:00 p.m. at St. Benedict’s Catholic Church, 351 South Bowie, San Benito.
Committal Services followed at the San Benito Memorial Park.
The family would like to thank all the doctors and nurses for the care Tony was provided in his last hours.

Permanent link to this article: https://www.sbnewspaper.com/2016/02/24/antonio-tony-d-najera/

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