Anthony J. Leon

Tony Leon, age 82, of Fond du Lac,
died on December 11, 2019.

 

Anthony Joseph was born on May 20,
1937, to John C. and Mary Socorro Leon in Aurora, Illinois. He graduated from
Marmion Military Academy and went on to receive his B.A. degree from St.
Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa.  He did graduate work at
Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Illinois.  Tony served in
the United States Army at Third Army Headquarters in Atlanta, Ga., where he met
the love of his life, Anita Marie Byram.

 

Tony and Anita are survived by
their children, Brian (Kari) of Milwaukee, sons, Kevin and Jason, and daughter,
Nicole Leon; Michael of Fitchburg; James of Madison; and Joan (Bruce) Aguado
Ware of Milwaukee, daughters, Isabel and Victoria Aguado.  He is also
survived by his sister, Sofie Guge.

 

Tony was a newspaper man. He spent
his 36-year career at The Fond du Lac Reporter, retiring in 2001, where he
served successively as a reporter, Area Editor, City Editor, Progress Edition
Editor, and Editorial Page Editor and Columnist.  He received
several writing awards and was a past President of the Fox Valley-Lakeshore
Press Association. 

 

Tony was active in his
community.  He served two terms on the YMCA Board of Directors as
Board Secretary, was past President of the Fond du Lac Booster Club, and past
President and Zone Lieutenant Governor of the Evening Optimist
Club.  He was a long-time member of the Fond du Lac Literacy Council
Board of Directors.

 

He was physically active
throughout his life. He played basketball at the YMCA for over four decades,
helping to popularize noon basketball there. He ran in many fun runs and at age
49 completed America’s Marathon in Chicago. He was an avid cribbage
player.  He also played poker, bridge and golfed.

 

Tony was kind, generous and a
loving grandfather.  He would most like to be remembered for his love
and devotion to his wife of 50 years, Anita. He often told the story of Anita
accepting his ring on a quiet, late afternoon in the empty Sacred Heart Church
in Atlanta. They emerged to see a cloud forming a perfect ring around the moon,
something neither had seen before or since.  They were married on
Tony’s birthday in the same church.  Anita predeceased Tony in death
at the age of 71 on October 12, 2011, at 9:17 p.m., the day he said he started
to die. 

  

Visitation will be held Saturday, December
21, 2019 at Uecker-Witt Funeral Home, from 10:00 AM – 12 noon, followed by a
short remembrance, military honors, and luncheon.  Tony requested cremation and that his and
Anita’s remains be mingled together for all eternity.

 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions
may be made to the Fond du Lac YMCA in his name.

 

Guestbook and tribute wall may
be found by visiting ueckerwitt.com.