Graveside service for MSG (Retired) Anthony J. "Tony" Salas will be 10:00 A.M. Wednesday, May 22, 2019 at Fort Sill National Cemetery, Elgin, Oklahoma

Burial with full military honors will be under the direction of Becker-Rabon Funeral Home.

The family will greet friends from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm Tuesday at the funeral home.

MSG (Retired) Anthony J. "Tony" Salas, age 79, of Lawton, passed away Saturday, May 18, 2019 in Lawton.  He was born to Antonio Jose Salas and Maria Lucia Salazar Salas in Englewood, Colorado, December 16, 1939.  He was the youngest of four children.  He grew up and attended school in Trinidad, LaJunta, and other locations in Colorado, and settled in LaJunta until he joined the military.  He served his country proudly for twenty-two years, attaining the rank of Master Sergeant.  He entered the U.S. Army in December of 1958 at Fort Carson, Colorado, where he took basic Training.  He took ATC at Fort Chaffee, Arkansas.  He then went to Germany with the 1/78 FA, and then later Fort Huachuca, Arizona.  He got out of the service in 1962, then rejoined in 1964 at Fort Hood, Texas.  He went to Fort Sill, Oklahoma in 1965, then Fort Mead, Maryland, and joined the 11th Armored Cavalry (Black Horse Regiment), where he was sent by ship to Vietnam (the Forward Fire Base).  He returned to Fort Sill until 1970, and returned again to Vietnam, with the 3/16 FA.  Upon his return to the States, he went to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri as a Drill Sergeant, then assumed recruiting duty in Philadelphia, (Drexell Hill) Pennsylvania.  He then went to Germany in 1975 with Div/Arty.  In 1976 he transferred to Ansback with the 1st Armored Division; Korea in 1980, and back to Fort Sill with the 100 S&S until his retirement in February 1983.  During his time in service, he was awarded the Good Conduct Medal Sixth Award, Bronze Star Medal with First Oak Leaf Cluster; Three Overseas Service Bars, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm; Vietnam Service Medal with Five Service Stars, Army Commendation Medal with First Oak Leaf Cluster, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon First Award, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, and Expert (Rifle M-16).

MSG Salas married Suzy Gill on March 26, 1988, and made their home in Lawton.  He was a member of the University Church of Christ.

After his retirement from the military, in 1983, MSG Salas went to work for the Solid Waste Division of the City of Lawton.  He worked as Equipment Operator; Commercial Supervisor; Code Enforcement/Inspector, and Field Foreman.  He retired from the City after 19 years of service.

MSG Salas enjoyed the outdoors, working in his yard, sports, fishing, his dogs, and weekend trips to Colorado to see family.  He was very active and encouraging in his son's grade school activities, by participating in football, basketball, organizing competitions, and coaching baseball.

MSG Salas is survived by his wife of the home, his son Alvin Salas of LaJunta, Colorado, brothers in law, George Gill, II (Chris), Mike Gill, Tim Gill, Sisters in Law, Georgia Williams (Bill), Princess Turner (Tab), nephews, Trey Gill, Gannon Gill, Tyler Gill, nieces Megan Gill Caudill (Brian), Tiffany Gill, Emily Gill, and Tara Gill, all of Lawton, Oklahoma, a niece, Leslie Williams Boudrieau of Sherborn, Massachusetts, nephews, Tom Salas (Elaine), Joseph Salas, Nash Salas (Sandy), Raymond Salas, John Salas, Jr. (Andrea), Sam Salas (Denise), nieces Vickey Aguilar (Ted), Viola Romero (Joe), Josie Guerrero (Roberto), Becky Salas, and Nancy Salas.  Also nieces, Frances Montez Vondersmith, Mary Montez, Gloria Montez, Lisa Vigil, and nephews, Michael Salas, Megirio Vigil, III, Joseph Vigil, Gerald Vigil, Roger Vigil, and many many great nieces and great nephews, and his dogs Freedom and Tuffy.

MSG Salas was preceded in death by his parents, his brother John Salas, Sr., and sisters Maria Crucita Salas, and Adelina Salas Vigil, his Doberman Duke, and Husky Whoopsie.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Humane Rescue Alliance, P.O. Box 96312, Washington, D.C., 20090-6312 or to the charity of the donor's choice.