Antonio Anaya

Antonio (Tony) Hernandez Anaya was born on Sunday, January 8, 1950, at 11:35 a.m. in Gleeson (Cochise County), Arizona, to Ramon Lopez Anaya and Rita Gonzales Hernandez. He passed away Friday, December 4, 2020, in the Emerald Square Assisted Living Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Throughout his life, Tony held multiple careers, but perhaps his most notable careers were as a horse trainer, an exercise boy, and a jockey. He spent most of his horse racing career in Pennsylvania, which is where he met his wife, Sharon Noel (Jones) Anaya. As the story goes, Tony was injured in a horse racing accident, and Sharon was his nurse to whom he took a liking. Tony and Sharon were married on December 28, 1974, in Camden, New Jersey. They divorced on November 1, 1982.

On December 16, 2001, Tony was injured in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Shortly after his injury, Tony and Sharon reconnected. He then moved to Sayre, Oklahoma to be with her. They remarried on November 20, 2003 in the Catholic Parish Hall of Saint Mathews Catholic Church in Sayre, Oklahoma among their family and friends.

In 2015, Tony and Sharon relocated their home to Moore, Oklahoma where they lived until Sharon passed away on January 23, 2018. Tony then lived with Sharon’s children until he moved to Emerald Square Assisted Living Center following a stroke.

Tony loved horses, but he also loved the Doobie Brothers, fig newtons, Diet 7Up, and his wife. Both he and Sharon enjoyed working in the yard and making compost piles. Tony’s dog, B.W., was his pride and joy.

Tony is preceded in death by his wife, Sharon Noel Jones Anaya, and his parents, Ramon and Rita. He is survived by one sister, Patricia Anaya, of Arizona, and three brothers, Angel Marrero and Paul Anaya, both of Arizona, and Daniel Anaya of Washington. He is also survived by five stepchildren: Randall, Dennis, Belinda, Susan, Julie, and their families, in addition to many nieces, nephews, and friends.

The family wants to thank the staff at Emerald Square for their continued support and love for Tony throughout his final years.

To watch the live stream of service, please click on the link below: 

https://www.oneroomstreaming.com/view/authorise.php?k=160739916589185

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