Graveside services were held at the Fort Sill National Cemetery in Elgin Oklahoma April 4th at 11 am.

Evan David Anthony (Tony) peacefully passed away at the Lawton Fort Sill Veterans Center in Lawton Oklahoma March 30, 2024. He was 95.   He was born in Dyffryn (Rhondda Valley), Wales August 19, 1928, to Thomas Edward Anthony and Elsie (Davies) Anthony.  He came to the United States October 4, 1929, as an immigrant through Ellis Island with his mother to meet with his father who went ahead to find employment after the coal mines were failing in Wales.  He lived at 857 Dolly Avenue Albuquerque in the house his father built. He was drafted into the United States Military December 7,1950. He became a US Citizen May 3, 1954 at Frankfurt/Main, Germany.  He met the love of his life Rosemary Veronica Poole in Wales at a dance.  They were married on December 18, 1954 at Holy Trinity Church, Taliaris, Llandeilo, Wales.

1SG Evan Anthony (Tony, Dave or Davie to his friends and family) started off his Army career as a humble Korean War Draftee, shipping out to Camp Roberts, California for Infantry Basic Training in 1950.  While sailing to the Korean Theater, Tony filled out a survey.  Noting he had heavy equipment experience he was disembarked in Japan and trained as a Combat Engineer, D-7 Bulldozer operator, then shipped out to Korea where his unit was attached to X Corps and the 2nd Infantry Division.  Engineers like Tony led the way in many fights taking out roadblocks, building roads, and fighting emplacements so that the other Combat Arms could take the fight to the enemy.  He was wounded in action on his dozer, evacuated to Japan before rotating back to the States for discharge.  After six months of unsatisfactory integration back into Civilian life (and his Father's House), he petitioned the Army to take him back, which they did, re-branching him in the Field Artillery at Ft. Sill, teaching him the craft via on-the-job training.

Tony became a consummate Field Artilleryman, shipping off to Babenhausen Germany to join his favorite unit the 18th Field Artillery.  Tony and his new family, Rosemary and Dawn, redeployed to Ft. Sill in 1956 with the entire 18th FA in an Operation Gyroscope rotation. Tony made the most of his 8th Grade Education, by getting his GED in Germany.  He quickly advanced from Corporal to Sergeant First Class (an E-6 grade until the late 50's) in just a few years. With a clean record and his new US Citizenship, Dave was selected as a pioneer in the 8" Nuclear Artillery field.  Nukes was a special pedigree with lots of stress, extra duty and training.  These additional Nuke duties would follow him back to 8th Army Artillery in Korea, the 4th ID Divarty at Ft. Lewis, 2-92nd Field Artillery in Giessen, GE, back to the Field Artillery School and finally a Warhead Detachment in Erzurum, Turkey.  In 1968 SFC Anthony headed to Vietnam with the 9th Infantry Division, 1-11th Field Artillery where he served in his most memorable assignment as "Smoke", Chief of Firing Battery. He fought in the Mekong Delta doing innovative Airmobile operations with 105mm Towed (M102) Howitzers on "Paddy Platforms".  Following Vietnam, this most seasoned Red Leg picked up a one year teaching assignment at the Field Artillery School, Self Propelled Battery, after which he returned to Vietnam in 1971 to serve as an Advisor to Vietnamese Artillery units in combat.

After seven overseas tours, three of them in combat, he completed his time in the Army as the First Sergeant of the Artillery School Staff and Faculty Battalion, retiring in 1974.  His most significant decorations were two Awards of the Bronze Star Medal, three of the Army Commendation Medal, one for Valor in Vietnam.  Some say the Army makes a Man out of you, young Evan Anthony may have agreed back in 1950, never realizing that it was Non-Commissioned Officers like him that made the Army what it is.

Following the Army, Evan attended Great Plains Vo-Tech on the GI Bill.  He then worked for the Lawton Public Schools before starting his own small business, Tony's Home Repair.  He later worked for Parks Jones until his retirement at the age of 62.  He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign War Post 5263 and a life long member of the Disabled American Veterans -Joe McCain CH. 56 in Lawton.  He drove over 10,000 miles for the DAV taking Veterans to Oklahoma City to the VA Hospital. He was a member of Riverside Baptist Church in Albuquerque.

He is survived by daughter, Annie Elsie Dawn Anthony Smith and husband Terry (Lawton), son Evan David Anthony II and wife Valerie (Hebron, Kentucky) and daughter Jennifer Ann Anthony Fischer and husband Hugo (Steilacoom Washington).

He will be dearly missed by his grandchildren Evan Austin Malcom Smith and wife Ina-Mai, April Dawn Smith, Evan David Anthony III and his wife Angie, Alexandrea Ann Stephanopoulos and husband David and Rosemary Elizabeth Fischer and husband John Ligon and Ed James Fischer.

He is fondly remembered by his great grandchildren, Reese, Nora, Seren, Aven, Solomon, Armor, John (Doody), Maverick, Seth, Monica and Cecilia.  He is remembered by many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews.

Evan is survived by his dear sister Mary Brown and her husband Richie (Tennessee).

He was predeceased in death by his parents, wife Rosemary, brother Tommy Anthony, sister Rachael Cliford and her husband Charles.

Special thanks to the wonderful individuals at the Lawton Ft Sill Veterans Center who helped care for him, special caregiver Janie and to CompleteOK Home Health.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Lawton Fort Sill Veterans Center or to the charity of your choice.