Tony George Rukavina

Tony George Rukavina, age 93, passed away in Salt Lake City, Utah June 13, 2014. Tony was born on February 22, 1921 in Rock Springs, Wyoming to John and Kata Zupan Rukavina. Tony was the youngest of four surviving children and was the only boy. He graduated from Rock Springs High School in 1941 and entered the United States Army in 1942. Tony served as a First Lieutenant and Intelligence Staff Officer in the Artillery Division in the Southern Philippines. Tony spent 4 years in the military and was honorably discharged in 1946. He returned to Wyoming and went to University of Wyoming at Laramie for 5 years earning a Bachelor Degree of Science in Mechanical Engineering. While in college, Tony played saxophone and clarinet in various jazz bands on weekends. He also met his bride Patricia Sellers who had earned a double degree at the university. Their mutual love of music attracted Patricia and Tony to each other. They subsequently fell in love and were married in Urie, Wyoming in 1948. Tony's career in mining engineering took Patricia and Tony to several states before settling in Utah and raising their family of 3 sons and a daughter. Tony continued his education at the University of Utah by receiving a certificate of Business Administration in 1959. He was a hardworking honest man who was well liked and respected. Tony always provided for his wife and family and they never went without. A lifetime was spent out travelling with the family that included lots of fishing and camping trips. Tony retired from Kennecott Copper Corp. in 1986 and became more involved with friends and family and enjoyed becoming a grandpa. In 2010, Tony and Patricia became great grandparents as well.Tony is survived by Patricia Sellers Rukavina, his loving wife of 66 years, two sons, John Allen Rukavina (Christy) and Lawrence Dwight Rukavina, and daughter Ramona Rukavina. He is survived by 4 grandchildren, Robert Allen Rukavina, Christopher John Rukavina, Samantha Jane Rukavina, and Amelia Anne Rukavina and great grandson Jaxon David Rukavina. Tony is preceded in death by his parents Kata and John Rukavina, sisters Mary Penkert, Manda Crofts, and Eva Devlin. Tony is also preceded in death by his beloved son Richard Tony Rukavina who passed away in February of this year.Funeral services will be held for Tony on Thursday June 19, 2014 at 1PM MDT in the chapel at Wasatch Lawn and Memorial Park at 3401 Highland Drive in Salt Lake City, Utah. Following the service Tony will be interred in the Whispering Pines section of Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park. We would like to thank all the competent and compassionate medical staff at the various medical facilities that Tony frequented in the months leading up to his death. And a special thank you to Dr. Stephen Aslami who has attended to Dad's good health for decades. Your support and guidance have been invaluable.You have always been there for us Dad and we will never ever forget you….We love you so much.