Anthony "Tony" Linn Jr.

Tuscaloosa - Anthony (Tony) Linn, age 93, passed away peacefully on May 26, 2023 at his home surrounded by his loved ones. A private graveside service was held at 2:00 pm on Monday, June 12, 2023 at Memory Chapel Funeral Home with Rev Lou Ann Sellers, First Presbyterian Church officiating.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Anthony B. Linn Sr. and Merle Cauthen Linn of Camden, Mississippi and his loving wife of 61 years, Lotte Robertz Linn of Hanau, Germany.

Survivors include his sons, Walter Linn and Chris Linn (Lori) of Tuscaloosa and Patrick Linn of Fairhope; grandchildren Rachel Linn of Tuscaloosa, Eric Linn (Hannah) of Huntsville, Hunter Linn of Hoover and Harrison Linn of Tuscaloosa; great grandchildren; Tyler Rabu (Amber) of Birmingham, Gabe Rabu of Tuscaloosa, Lorelei Linn of Huntsville; great great grandchild Addison Rabu of Birmingham.

Tony grew up in the small town of Camden, Mississippi and when he graduated from Camden High School in 1948 he decided to join the Army. Shortly after joining, he was assigned to the 519th Military Police Battalion and was deployed to Korea to fight on the front lines of the Korean War. He was honorably discharged in 1953 and returned home to Mississippi. That same year he enrolled at Mississippi State and completed his first year of college.

In 1954 he decided he wanted to rejoin the Army and chose Germany as his place of deployment. While stationed in Hanau, Germany many exciting things happened in his life. It was there where he met the love of his life Lotte whom he eventually married in 1956. One year later they welcomed their first-born son Walter. While living in Germany , Tony was also able to complete another year of college at the University of Maryland (Hanau Center).

On Christmas Eve in 1957 Tony was again honorably discharged and he brought his wife and newborn son back to the states. Once back in the states, Tony with his little family in tow made their way to Tuscaloosa where his partner in crime, sister Martha and her husband Rudy Sturm were living.

Figuring his way out, he and his brother-in-law Rudy decided to open a restaurant that became an institution in the day. They named it Barbecue King and many Tuscaloosa locals still remember that wonderful chicken and ribs that they would serve up. The sauce they made up was very distinctive and remains a secret to this day.

After working many long days and nights and later two more sons Patrick and Chris, Tony decided he wanted to spend more quality time with his family. He made the bold move to go back to school and earned his degree at the University of Alabama in Commerce and Business Administration in 1969. After graduating, he immediately landed a job at the Tuscaloosa Chamber of Commerce and worked his way up to become the President & Chief Executive Officer.

In 1975 he was recruited to join the staff of the University of Alabama where he held a number of positions including Director of Alumni Affairs and eventually retiring in 1996 as the Assistant to the Dean for External Affairs for the College of Business & Administration.

Tony’s yard was one of his greatest passions. He always loved gardening, planting flowers and watching all of the birds in his yard. But beyond that, Tony was a family man and in addition to the family he created, he dearly loved his siblings (all preceded in death), Virginia, Martha, Betty (Bid) and David and the families they created.

Though he was known to many as Tony, he was also known as Daddy, Opa, Brother, Uncle Brother and Doety. Those who were blessed to be a part of his life can always remember him by one of those titles he held. He will be forever missed and never forgotten.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First Presbyterian Church of Tuscaloosa, Oasis Health Care (Hospice) of Tuscaloosa or a cause or charity of your choosing.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.MemoryChapelFuneralHome.com for the Linn family.