Antonio “Tony” Martinez Madrid July 3, 1926 - May 31, 2026

Antonio Martinez Madrid, known as Tony, passed away at his home in Payson, Utah, on May 31, 2026, just weeks short of his 100^th birthday.

Tony was born on July 3, 1926, in Los Angeles County, California, the only child of George Lucero Madrid and Isabel Marujo Martinez. They made their home in the community of Stanton and due to difficult times during The Great Depression, Tony was forced to drop out of the 8th grade and work to help support his family. He would later earn his GED through the military and his act of self-sacrifice for others would follow him throughout his life.

Tony served in the U.S. Army from 1944 through WWII, The Korean War and Vietnam for a total of 22 years. In that time, he served in many different units to which he was assigned. These included the 25^th Infantry Division in Hawaii, a unit that was put into the Korean War to stem the tide of the North Korean invasion of South Korea in 1950. He earned many citations, including the Air Medal and Presidential Unit Citation, Korean Presidential Citation, the Vietnam Presidential Citation, and many Good Conduct awards. Tony ’s rank at retirement was Sergeant First Class (E-6). His Army jobs included Clerk, Infantryman (Rifle), Artilleryman, Aircraft Mechanic (rotary-wing), Crew Chief, and a door gunner in Vietnam. Tony ’s Army time was spent in several locations and times: stationed in Missouri, Virginia, Hanau (Germany), the Philippines, Korea, Vietnam, and California. In Missouri, Tony was trained in the use of artillery. In Virginia, Tony was trained as a Clerk-Typist. His test scores showed him to have exceptional potential. That ability enabled him to manage the flow of paperwork that allows operational units to function. Even as a Private, he carried that ability to Germany and eventually to Korea with an artillery unit that penetrated North Korea in the Yulu River, the border with China in 1959. Staff Sergeant Madrid left active duty after Korea but remained in the Army Reserves and was recalled to serve in Vietnam in the mid 1960’s.

When Tony retired from the Army in 1966, he was hired by Lockheed Martin in Burbank, California. The majority of his career was spent in the “Skunk Works” Advanced Development Program in Palmdale, California. He was responsible for sealing the tanks of the highly classified high altitude reconnaissance aircraft SR-71 Blackbird and U-2. It was during this time that Tony met, and married Christine (Chris) and they had their daughter Michelle.

Early in their marriage Chris introduced Tony to missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and after receiving a personal testimony that the church was true, he was baptized and confirmed October 14, 1981. He was ordained an elder on March 28, 1982, and sealed to his wife and daughter in the Los Angeles temple for time and all eternity October 15, 1982. He received his high priest ordination April 1, 1984.

Upon retiring from Lockheed, Tony relocated his family to Centerfield, UT in 1992 and enjoyed the next 20 years working hard on his many home improvement projects. Tony loved nothing more than to spend his days using an impressive collection of tools maintaining vehicles and yard equipment or spending hours ensuring his 3/4-acre yard was meticulously manicured. Everything he did was done completely and correctly. He believed in never leaving anything half done. As the years wore on, Tony realized that he needed closer access to medical care and moved with his wife to Payson, Utah in 2012. His twilight years would be spent serving in his local LDS ward and surrounded by friends in his senior community. Even though his body began to slow down from age, he continued his strong work ethic by helping his daughter with home and yard projects. Tony’s final battle would be against the effects of dementia and though he lost that battle, he never gave up his lifelong values of hard work, routine and sacrificing for others.

Tony is survived by his wife, Christine; his daughter, Michelle Madrid; and his grandson, Antonio Martinez Madrid III. He was preceded in death by his parents; and his sons: Antonio Martinez Madrid Jr., Alex Clay Madrid, and George Henry Madrid (infant).

There will be a graveside service with military honors on Thursday, June 11, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at the Utah Veterans Cemetery and Memorial Park, 17111 South Camp Williams Road (1700 West), Bluffdale, Utah 84065.