In Memory

Antonio (Tony) Clay Cabrera

Tony was born May 2, 1962 in Keokuk, Iowa to Barbara Alberts Cabrera and Francisco A. Cabrera.  He moved to Fort Dodge as a young boy when his father took a job with Fort Dodge Laboratories.    He had one older brother, Esteban (Steve).  

Tony started Kindergarten at Pleasant Valley, starting in 2nd grade he attended Hillcrest, attended North Junior High and graduated from Fort Dodge Senior High. 

The family attended 1st Presbyterian Church in FD and Tony was very active in church activities.  

One memorable story was Tony's 5th birthday.  Tony's parents decided on a "safari theme" for Tony's party with his friends.  Pith helmets, a couple palm trees, an elephant's head and a bear's head out of paper mache were part of the celebration.  The other children really loved breaking the paper mache animal heads and getting the treats, but unfortunately Tony had recently seen the movie "Jungle Book" and the bear was the spiting image of Baloo.  Tony was heartbroken that his friend Baloo, was being destroyed before his eyes!  

The family enjoyed taking Tony and his brother Steve camping, wading in a nearby creek, traveling to Disney World (not long after its opening) and even watched a parade for the astronauts on their return from the moon.  The family also traveled to Chicago to visit the museum of Natural History.  

Every summer for 2 weeks in August, the family went to Miami to visit Tony's grandmother and step-grandfather.  The photo on the website is a favorite memory for Tony's family.  It was on the beach in Miami on one of those memorable summer visits.  

Tony did well in school, but he did have to work for it.  His brother Steve mentioned that Tony was a straight A/B student, but "if he could read something, he could remember it."

Tony and the family joined the YMCA where his brother and father enjoyed Judo, and Tony discovered swimming was his big interest.  He joined the swim team in high school and they went to State one year and they did fairly well.

Tony was involved in several extra curricular activities:  Boy Scouts where he attained Life Rank, in school and in church where he made many lasting friendships.  Tony played the clarinet, alto sax, baritone sax for band, sang in the choir and was also involved in theater presentations.  He continued these things in college.  

For Tony's high school graduation his parents asked him to decide what type of graduation party he wanted to have and against his parents advice he insisted on having his close friends over for a typical Cuban dinner of Beef Tongue Ragu.  He obviously knew his friends better than we did, since they seemed to enjoy themselves and the authentic Cuban dish!  

Tony attended the University of Iowa where he was part of the Jazz Ensemble and also performed in the choir and a couple of theater presentations.  After a short time out of college due to illness, he attended Iowa Central Community College, there transfered to Iowa State where he was involved in more theater and music at both of those colleges.  One of the presentations was "Aida".  He graduated with honors and received a scholarship to Ohio State to work on his masters degree in Psychology.  He returned home after several months of illness and continued to work on a book on personal psychology, which he regrettably did not finish.  

His parents moved to Des Moines and then to Overland Park, KS and they really enjoyed it when Tony would come for a visit.  Tony was an especially good uncle to his niece (Jill) and nephews (Steve and Brad) and was very loving to them.  He enjoyed taking them to the park and giving them rides on the Merry Go Round.  

Tony was also interested in BIG cars and had a green thumb.  He loved to plant things and even grafted trees as a young boy growing up.   He continued to enjoy planting things as an adult and really liked cats.  

Tony was very interested in religion and attended a camp in Colorado for a couple weeks, pursued other venues that included visiting with Mormon evangelists, making a trip to Virginia Beach and getting very involved in a Fort Dodge church, Calvary Baptist.  

Tony had spent several weeks with his parents in Overland Park, KS, but decided to return to Fort Dodge for the Christmas of 1994 to be with his brother Steve's family.  He passed away just before Christmas.  

 

 

 

 



 
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10/31/09 08:12 PM #1    

Suzanne Knupp (Sawyer)

Tony, what great memories. I remember him being very active in band and theater. I remember him having tons of friends and I always thought that Tony would be "most likely to succeed" in our class. He seemed to have "the package" for success in the world.

Many years after high school I ran into him applying for job where I worked. The spark and the joy that he had in high school was gone and he had changed so much from what I remembered about him.

My heart broke for him and I was really puzzled at how the direction of his life had changed so drastically from the life I envisioned for him.

I think we all owe it to Tony's memory to be thankful for all the talents and abilities that God has blessed us with. None of us know when life can change it's course and give us challenges that we never dreamed we would face.

I believe Tony was a strong Christian and we can find comfort knowing that he is with Jesus Christ in heaven today...using all his talents and abilities to the fullest!

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