Tony Vega Salas was born on May 31, 1940, simply named Tom Salas, in Falls County in central Texas. He passed away in Edmond, Oklahoma on August 3, 2026 surrounded by loved ones.

For reasons no one can seem to agree on, somewhere along the way he started going by Tony Salas, then Tony Vega Salas, and toward the end it was occasionally Tommy Salas, despite the fact that his birth certificate says Tom Salas. This made for an interesting time at doctor's appointments and in dealing with legal issues, but it was somehow true to form of how Tony operated.

Tony grew up on a farm in Chilton, Texas with his parents Felix Salas Jr. and Salome Vega Salas, his two brothers, Ralph, Felix, and his sister Lilly. He had two half-brothers, Bartolo Salas and Viviano Salas. Tony was the youngest in the family, and they all preceded him in death.

His parents were migrant farm workers who eventually got a small farm of their own where the whole family worked, as farm families do. His mother was born in Mexico, his father from Texas. Neither parent spoke English, and Tony has said that he didn't speak English at all until he started grade school.

With the language barrier and other hurdles, school wasn't for Tony, and he only completed the fourth grade. Around the age of 15 he went to Dallas to work with his brother Ralph at the Adolphus Hotel, where he quickly found his niche and work ethic. His start as a dishwasher naturally turned into an opportunity to work in all areas of the kitchen, alongside an eclectic mix of talent, scalawags and personalities that taught him well. At an early age, he was managing kitchens, working as Chef, then opening hotels for various chains around the country. Tony was rightfully proud of his many accomplishments despite his limited education, and compensated with a fierce drive that served him well and occasionally drove his co-workers crazy.

Among other achievements, in Arkansas he knew and catered privately for Sam Walton, and in Dallas catered an event for Cher. While at the Holiday Inn North, in the glory days of Tom Landry, he catered the home games for the Dallas Cowboys for many years.

Tony was married several times, and had several children before settling down in Lawton, Oklahoma. They were: Richard Salas, Roxanne Anderson, Michael Quintero, Mary Dominguez and Alex Garcia. Richard passed away in 2017.

In 1992 he and Julia Munden moved from Dallas to Lawton to take over Salas Mexican Restaurant, the business his brother Viviano Salas started in the 1950's. They then began their hard work to help bring the restaurant back to its full potential. They married that same year and had two children, Mistral Salas and Leah Salas. His daughters and family were the joy of his life, though work was a close second. They operated at 2nd and Lee in Lawton for 23 years, then built the new building in 2015. Despite divorcing in 2011, Tony and Julia continued to be great friends, and worked together until they sold the business in 2021. He was 81 when he retired and still not quite ready to put down his knives and put away his chef's hat.

Tony is survived by his children, many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and old cronies.

He was a devoted Christian and follower of Jesus, and attended Calvary Assembly of God as often as he could. Despite various health challenges the last 30 years of his life, and Alzheimer's and cancer the last few years, Tony knew how to push through adversity. That was especially true toward the end of his life as he handled his fate with grace and humility. His family and faith were most important to him, and is what helped him in his last days, when he was ready to meet his Lord.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, August 12, 2026 in the Becker-Rabon Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow in Flower Mound Cemetery.

The family will greet friends from 5-7 pm Tuesday, August 11, 2026 at the funeral home.