Antonio Buenano, Jr.

Antonio “Tony” Buenaño, Jr.

 October 4, 1937 - January 11, 2026

With heavy hearts, we announce that Tony Buenaño was surrounded by his family when he was called to our Lord in Heaven in the morning hours of Sunday, January 11, 2026. He is now reunited with his wife of 67 years, whose love and partnership shaped the life he built.Tony proudly served his country in the United States Army. He enlisted on January 24, 1955, at just 18 years old and trained as a 13B Field Artillery Soldier at Fort Chaffee, Arkansas. He later served overseas in Germany, where he was promoted to Private First Class and earned certification as a Wire Maintenance Technician supporting field communications. He returned home in 1958 after completing his overseas service and continued in the U.S. Army Reserve until his honorable discharge in 1962.

After returning home from Germany Tony spent his life in Rockport, where he raised his family and poured himself into his community. He served as a Rockport Little League umpire, coach, and board member, supported the Rockport-Fulton Pirate band as a dedicated band booster, taught catechism classes at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, and was even a volunteer EMT. He also enjoyed trips to Louisiana, where he loved playing the slot machines and sharing laughs with friends and family.

Before joining Texas Parks & Wildlife, Tony worked as a shrimper and boat captain along the Texas coast, acquiring knowledge that gave him a deep understanding of the bays, tides, and fisheries. In 1967, he began what would become a 55-year career with the Coastal Fisheries Division. Tony was part of the early development of the long-term sampling program that still guides fisheries management today. He trained more technicians and biologists than any other technician on the Texas coast and was often the first person new staff learned from.

Tony was especially known for his unmatched skill in constructing gill nets and bag seines. For many years, he built gear for all eight bay systems along the Texas coast, and his method became the standard for the division. Later, the department recognized the need to capture his knowledge for future generations. Workshops were held where staff from across the coast came to learn directly from him. His techniques were documented and formalized so they could continue to be used statewide, and those same specifications were later adopted by federal agencies and shared with manufacturers who now use Tony’s model to build sampling gear. .His work ethic, humor, and patience left a permanent mark on the people who worked with him, and his legacy will continue to shape the management and understanding of Texas coastal resources for years to come.

Tony is survived by Daughters: Susana (Joey) Porter and Patricia “Patty” Buenaño; Sons: Gasper “Bimbo” (Jeannie) Garcia and Antonio “Jr.” Buenaño III; Son-in-Law: Ernesto Gonzales; Sisters: Maria Blanca Soliz and Dolores Lara. Grandchildren: Abram (Jennifer) Rodriguez, Sabina Diebel, Gloria (Jeffery) McDaniel, Thomas (Acacia) Porter, Jesse (Fiorella) Porter, Megan Garcia, Nathan Garcia, Alyssa (Joe) Molina, Michael (Traci) Hunter, Naomi (Brody) Goodson, Jonathon (Bianca) Gonzales, Jacob Gonzales, Jade Gonzales, Dylan Abrego, Caitlin (Joshua) Esparza, Evan Abrego, Heather (Zachary Lazaron) Serra, and Jessica Garcia.Great-Grandchildren: Ella, Zoey, Grant, Brayden, Dillon, Pamela, Gunner, Summer, Ethan, Kyler, Kyleigh, Samie, Harper, Allison, Kaden, Nicholas, Isabella, Ben, Ellington, Leonardo, and Ian: Great-Great-Grandchildren: Blakelee Ann, Briar Kate, Shelby Rose, Zach, Jonathan, Zarayah, Juliette, and Nicholas. And numerous nieces and nephews who he loved as his own.Tony was preceded in death by his loving wife, Patricia “Tina” Buenaño; parents: Antonio Buenaño, Sr and Beatrice Buenaño; son: Carmen “Goose” Buenaño; daughter: Lydia “Lilly” Gonzales; brother: Reynaldo Buenaño; sisters: Olga Coronado, Yolanda Treviño, and Aurora Pena, and granddogs: Dyna, Biscuit, Bandit, and Mermaid. Viewing will be Sunday, January 25 from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm with Rosary to follow at Charlie Marshall Funeral Home in Rockport, TX. A separate Mass will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church on Thursday, January 29 at 10:00 am with burial to follow at Rockport Cemetery.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude for all of the calls, texts, prayers, and kind words given throughout this difficult time. A special thanks to the amazing staff of Harbor Hospice in Rockport, TX for all of their wonderful care.