Tony Galindo

Tony Galindo passed away peacefully in his sleep on December 23, 2023.  Tony was a devoted father and husband who lived life on his terms and was a delight to all who had the fortune of knowing him.  

Tony admired the Old West Culture and lived accordingly.   His favorite pastime was spending time shooting with his friends, whether at the “54”, the Red Rock Ranch or the Hill, or winning multiple pistol championships at the Fort Bliss Rod and Gun Club.   His enthusiasm for this sport was infectious and was always encouraging others to try it out.   He also proudly dressed the part every Sunday – western hat, boots, western shirt and all. 

Tony served the University of Texas at El Paso for over 25 years with distinction.   He was a mainstay on the campus, well known to his fellow Physical Plant employees, the President of the University and even Don Haskins.  

Tony was knowledgeable and creative, his many hobbies including beading, leathercraft, and woodworking among others.   With a whittling knife, his eye could see a Native American sculpture inside a plain block of wood and make it come to life.  And before the Internet, he was the self-proclaimed “bottomless pit of knowledge” – always knowing something about everything. 

His love of the Dallas Cowboys and later the Texas Rangers was second to none.  It was known to all not to disturb him during the Cowboys game – and it is fitting that he got to see the Rangers finally win the World Series.    From 1977 onward, he tracked every Cowboys game, win, lose or draw, on his scoreboard in his Garage.   His love of the Cowboys only grew throughout his life, with his house becoming a shrine to the team.

Tony lived a life befitting a Hollywood movie.  He was a hero to his friends and family, and survived both a hunting accident and later a cancer scare.   Tony lived life on his terms, focusing on what he could do instead of what people told him he could not do.  In his later years, he was inspiration to all in facing his mortality head-on with courage, laughter and his unconquerable spirit.  In the end, he died on his terms as well.

Tony is preceded in death by his wife Shirley.   He is survived by his sister Gloria Mendoza, long time companion Gerda Hensley, his children George (Heather), Daniel (Kelley), and Rebecca Betancourt (Mike), and his three grandchildren, Caden and Bailey Betancourt and Jacob Galindo.

Funeral Service at 12:00pm on Friday, January 12, 2024, at Sunset Funeral Homes-Northeast, 4631 Hondo Pass Drive,  El Paso, Texas.  Committal Service to follow at 1:30pm at Evergreen East Cemetery, 12400 Montana Avenue, El Paso, Texas.

Services entrusted to Sunset Funeral Homes-Northeast.  Please visit his online memorial at www.sunsetfuneralhomes.net.