Antonio Rios, Jr.

A celebration of life and Tony’s homegoing will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 18, 2026, at his home church, Ridin’ High Cowboy Church, 8771 FM 35, Royse City, TX. Pastor Steve Bishop will offer the eulogy.

Antonio Rios, Jr (Tony) was a loving Christian man who walked faithfully with his Savior and Lord for more than 65 years. His occupation was that of an electrical engineer, building backup power systems for communication equipment. He was a resident of Royse City, TX, for 32 years. Tony went home to be with his Lord Jesus Christ on January 13, 2026 at the age of 76.

Tony was born on March 26, 1949, in Laredo, TX. He was the first of his family to obtain a college degree. Tony graduated in 1990 from ATI in Dallas, TX , with an A.S. degree in Electric Technology and Design. Tony worked for Southwestern Bell and Lucent for 25 years at their facility in Mesquite, TX.

From the age of 13, Tony learned to play several musical instruments, mainly the trombone and drums. In Luther Burbank High School in San Antonio, he participated in the marching band and many parades. He always enjoyed watching the college marching bands perform their intricate patterns during halftime at football games. Tony continued to play his trombone in the music worship teams of the churches he attended.

Tony married Linda Wright on October 2, 1982, in Garland, TX. In 1994, the family moved to Royse City and started a homestead farm, where he learned to ride a horse and care for a menagerie of farm animals. He loved having all the various animal products, especially fresh fruits and vegetables and goats’ milk.

In 2001, Tony became a foster parent for Dallas County. He and Linda were privileged to host 45 children in their home over a period of 8 years. He decided that two of those children should become permanent members of his family.

Tony left a remarkable legacy of faith, service, and love. He is survived, by Linda Rios, his wife and partner for 43 years, his five children: Rebekah Keech of Fennville, MI; Matthew, Elizabeth, and Simone Rios, who all live locally in Royse City; and Antonio Rios III and his daughter of Denver, CO

Tony came from a family with 10 children and is survived by three brothers: Julian, Danny, and David; and four sisters: Ruth, Lydia, Becky, and Vicky.

Tony was preceded in death by his parents Antonio Rios Sr and Luisa Reyes Rios, and his sisters Mary Castillo and Sarah Hockstein.

Tony will be greatly missed by his family and church community, but we are all rejoicing that he is safe in the arms of his loving Savior, Jesus Christ.