He is survived by his loving wife, Carmen Rivera Cuellar after 66 years of marriage. He is also survived by his children, Linda Everidge(Don), Steve Cuellar(Paige), Judy Lopez(Rudy), Chuck Cuellar(Debbie) and raised as a daughter, Alexandra Carter(Barringer). Also surviving are 18 grandchildren and four great grandchildren.
His son David Cuellar, passed away in October 2022.
The eldest of five brothers and sisters to whom he dedicated his years growing up by working and providing them with all necessities. By the age of 7 years old, he was selling Brownsville newspapers and shining shoes in the streets of downtown Brownsville.
He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Encarnacion Jr. and Ramiro. He is survived by his other siblings, Racquel Gravel Barthen, Lydia Zammit and Mary Lou Cuellar.
Tony attended St. Joseph Academy and Brownsville High School until he joined the US Marine Corps at the age of 17 years old. A few years later, he returned to Brownsville to attend his sister Lydia's wedding where he met the love of his life, Carmen Rivera.
Later, he was transferred to Corpus Christi and would come weekly to date her until they decided to marry. They married in July 14, 1956. He was transferred to Kingsville and then Camp Pendleton, California. They had five children in different states, Texas, California, Hawaii and Virginia. He was deployed to Korea first and second to Vietnam as the first US Force to go to Vietnam. His family stayed in Hawaii until his return. He was last stationed in Santa Ana, California where he remained until his retirement of 20 years at the age of 37 years old.
While in the Marine Corps, he was awarded a Naval Commendation Medal by the US Navy Commander for his meritorious service as USMC military advisor to the Navy Seals while engaged in armed conflict against the North Vietnamese and Viet Cong aggressors. His expertise and outstanding performance helped maintain as outstanding perimeter.
He loved being in Brownsville spending time with his children at the beach. He was a loving husband, dad and grandpa. May he rest in peace.
Visitation will be held on November 10, 2022 from 3:00pm - 8:30pm with a rosary at 6:00pm. A mass will be held on November 11, 2022 at Holy Family Catholic Church at 1:30pm, followed by a burial at Buena Vista Burial Park.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Funeraria Del Angel Buena Vista, 125 Mcdavitt Blvd., Brownsville, Tx., 956-541-5400, Dignity Memorial Provider.
