Tony P. Zuniga

“How Great Thou Art” was the beautiful gospel song that was so loved by Tony. He loved all types of music, but this one he would play very often. Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior showed us how great his love is when he returned Tony’s love by taking our beloved son, uncle, and brother, gently into his bosom to be with him in Paradise, where he suffers no more. He valiantly fought colon cancer for four years. Three months ago, it returned and had spread to his liver. Tony peacefully passed away on Tuesday, July 24, 2012 in Tulsa, OK where he had been receiving treatment. He was 61. Tony was born in San Antonio, TX on January 5, 1951. Shortly after, he, his parents and older brother, Jesse, moved to Grand Rapids, MI where the family would grow, and they would live and be raised. He became an outstanding athlete in baseball and basketball, and he would become a huge University of Michigan fan, which is a legacy that continues within the family today. His favorite slogan was: “Go Blue.” It was also there that his parents strongly insisted the kids follow the Catholic faith. Tony embraced it and became an altar boy. Later as an adult, his patron Saint would become St. Anthony, and also the family patron Saint Infant Jesus of Prague. In the late 60’s, the family moved to Dallas, TX. Tony graduated from N. Dallas H.S. where he played on the Varsity Basketball team. He was blessed with a God given smile, and great personality. Everyone who met him would somehow become a friend, which helped him to become one of Dallas’ first popular Night Club DJs. He worked at popular night spots like the Electric Circus, Ichabods, Cafe Dallas, Confetti’s, etc. His DJ name was Tony D. He would later work at the Electric Circus in Commerce, TX, while he attended East Texas State University. He graduated with a degree in counseling & guidance. Professionally, Tony excelled in Job Recruitment. He was Director of Teacher Recruitment for DISD, and later he held the same position for Houston ISD. It was in Houston that his friends nicknamed him the “Idol maker” based on the movie. In Houston, he excelled in recruiting bilingual teachers in places like Boston, New York, and even Puerto Rico. In the early 90’s, he would move back to Dallas. He has recruited for the federal and state government agencies, and Banks and Corporations. He was most recently employed with Green Mountain Energy. Tony is preceded in death by our late father, Jesse Zuniga Sr., and sister in law, Nancy Fox–Zuniga. Survived in death by mother, Rose Marie Zuniga; sisters, JoAnne Zuniga DeBoer and Debbie Zuniga Esquibel; brothers, Jesse Zuniga Jr., Robert Zuniga and Steve E. Zuniga; aunts, Viola Ochoa and Josie Solis; uncles, Jesse F. Ochoa, Raymond Ochoa Jr. and Robert Ochoa; nephews, Chris Esquibel and Michael A. Zuniga; and his beloved niece, Kimberly Esquibel. Along with numerous relatives and friends in Dallas, San Antonio, Houston, California and Michigan. A Celebration of Life service will be 7pm, Sunday, July 29, 2012 at Sparkman/Crane Funeral Home in Dallas. The Rosary will be recited 7pm, Monday, July 30, 2012 at Sparkman/Crane Funeral Home in Dallas. Funeral Mass to be held 10am, Tuesday, July 31, 2012 at St. Pius X Catholic Church, 3030 Gus Thomason Rd. Dallas, TX 75228, Rev. Paolo Capra, Celebrant. Interment will follow at Calvary Hill Cemetery in Dallas. Lord we will miss Tony tremendously, but we know You also need him dearly. So tonight when we look up at the dark sky, we will see your newest Shining Star. We also know you only take the best. So when we hear the “Roaring Thunder” we will know that Tony D is in the Heavens, and in your honor he is loudly playing your song, ”How Great thou Art.”