He even volunteered at the school to help as the Discipline Officer because the principal knew the depth of relationship Tony had with families.

We would often joke with each other that he was Ezra and I was Nehemiah. He took care of the people and I took care of the bricks and mortar that served the community. We learned how to work with each other, learned how to forgive each other and finally learned how to anticipate each other. Tony knew my quirks and as part of “his” onboarding of a new staff person, he would be quick to let them know that you don’t touch my blue pen, or she likes it when you push in your chair. And when I would raise my voice telling him to stop that would just make him spout out even more. He loved to walk the halls and greet everyone and when he asked you how you were, he was not content with a one or two word answer. God gave him great wisdom that he willingly and lovingly shared with so many.

In July, Tony turned 50 and there was a big celebration that his church put on for him. Only Tony could have a worship service birthday party. Regardless, he got to hear how much he was loved and admired. I am grateful for that. In August, Tony’s mother passed away suddenly. That hit him hard. As much as Tony was a prayer warrior for CDC and so many people, it was his mother who was a prayer warrior for him. One week after the family had her funeral, Tony passed away (8/30/19). He was sitting in my office talking with me when he suddenly passed away. He had taken that week off to grieve and take care of personal business, but came in at my request so we could shoot this video, the story of our relationship–of a black man and a white woman who knew each other for 35 years and tried to serve God. Sadly, we never got to tell that story together, but how grateful I am for that last hour we had together before God called him to come home.

The shock of his death rang throughout the community. Hundreds came out for a candle light vigil and even more for his funeral. If only he could have seen and known how loved he was, but all of that is meaningless to him now as he gets to be with the King of Kings and hear from Him, “Well done good and faithful servant!”

He touched many lives and many lives are forever changed because a man named Tony told them about a savior named Jesus.