Tony Raybal (Plainview)

Johnny “Tony” Raybal

Today we are honoring, celebrating and remembering the life of our beloved Johnny “Tony” Raybal. Written by his eldest Grand Daughter Malory Shanks.

Tony went by many names in his life which included Dad, Grandpa, Papa, Tiger, Chief and Uncle T but the most heartfelt name of all was “babe” given to him by his wife Karen. Tony was born to Doroteo and Paulita Raybal on December 29th, 1944 in Hale Center, Texas. Tony was proud to be one of 12 children. He had 3 brothers and 8 sisters. He loved his siblings and he enjoyed talking and spending time with them. He received his GED and moved to Idaho with his sister Delores and her husband Luz during his teen years to work in the fields. He moved back to Hale Center and started to work at Shook Grocery Store.

During this time, he met the love of his life Karen Lopez in November 1962. It was love at first sight. Karen was outside in the yard messing with the water hose when Tony drove by and saw her. Tony once said, “I’ll always remember her red shorts and white shirt.” He could not get Karen off his mind. That evening he went to Karen’s house and asked her father John if he could take her out. He took her to Jack’s Drive In for their first date. Karen remembers that Tony always smelled like kerosene from the kerosene lanterns in his home. Karen and Tony married on February 13, 1963. They had 3 boys. Johnny Tony Jr., Tony Curtis and John Eric.

Tony moved to Plainview in 1969 to work with Pioneer Gas now known as Atmos Energy. He strived to be early every day. He retired from Atmos Energy in 2010. He was deeply committed to this company for 40 years. Tony believed that work ethic is the most important component of being successful. After retirement, Tony focused his time on his family and staying busy around the house. He made sure to be present in all our lives.

Tony was proud of his Apache Native American Heritage. He always called himself the “Old Indian.” “Chief” was his nickname at work. Tony never complained and he just went with the flow. Tony was emotional, tender, sensitive and big hearted. He was soft spoken and full of knowledge. He was humble and kind. Tony was stern when he needed to be. He protected his family. He enjoyed drinking coffee and smoking a cigarette in the mornings with his wife. Lunch was his favorite time of the day. Karen always cooked a meal and his two sons, Curtis and Eric, came over to eat with them. This was their special time together.

Tony loved to fish, read the newspaper, watch the news, collect coins, listen to oldies music, dance and occasionally go to the casino. Tony loved old western TV shows and Little House on the Prairie. He loved wearing jeans, a Dallas Cowboy hat and a t shirt with a pocket for his cigarettes and lighter. Man did he love football! He was Dallas Cowboys #1 Fan! Sunday football was never missed and if it was, he was antsy the whole time waiting to get to a TV. Tony enjoyed being on fly patrol on the porch and feeding the ants. He has many cats outside that rely on him. Even the skittish cats loved Tony. He enjoyed being outside and visiting with his neighbors.

Most of all Tony loved his family. He adored his wife and his sons. They were his rock and his best friends. He loved his daughter in laws Rosanna and Candace who helped take care of him when Karen was busy. He played a large role in the upbringing of his granddaughter Malory. He enjoyed seeing his grandchildren Blake, Malory, Arika, Alyssa, Peyton, Vincent, Tristin and Kristalyn. He had 7 great grandchildren, Hayden, Gracie, Addie, Liyah, Aubrie, Evi, Oliver and they completed his world. One of the hardest things for Tony was seeing his children and grandchildren grow up so fast. He always got tears in his eyes just looking at them. Anyone who knew Tony saw that he always had a child in his arms but he never changed a diaper. He loved family gatherings and meals together. He loved being home and having his home filled with laughter from family and friends. Tony and Karen’s house was the center of many of our lives. Their home was where everyone knew they were welcome. Tony always took the opportunity to let us know he loved us and how proud he was of us all whether it was out loud or as a quite conversation in private. He was a man of few words, but his word had a long lasting impact on us all.

Tony passed away on September 6th, 2022 in Dallas, Texas surrounded by his wife, his sons and 2 eldest grandchildren. February 2023 would have been 60 years of marriage for Karen and Tony. Tony was the patriarch in our lives and he will be forever missed. Tony has been renewed and has a strong heart of gold. The world will be a different place without him in it. Tony’s love will live on inside of us all. What a legacy. What a life. This is not goodbye but simply a see you later. Until we meet again Tony. We love you.

As Papa would say this is a Bunch of Bullshit