Anton Frank Bautz

Major Anton (Tony) F. Bautz, Retired - United States Air Force (USAF), passed away peacefully in his sleep on February 28, 2023. Our beloved Husband, Father, Grandfather and Father-in-Law was born in Novi Vrbas, Yugoslavia (now Serbia) on March 28, 1931, and emigrated to the United States in 1951. Tony soon joined the Air Force where he would proudly serve his new country.

Tony spent over 20 years in the Air Force as a Pilot and Development Engineer, including a Combat Tour of Duty in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War in the USAF Special Operations flying AC-119 aircraft. He flew well over 100 Combat missions in Southeast Asia and was awarded the USAF highest award for extraordinary aerial achievement, The Distinguished Flying Cross. In addition, Tony was awarded the Air Medal for meritorious achievement in aerial flight and several other military decorations.

Tony earned an Electrical Engineering degree from Colorado State University in Ft. Collins, Colorado. After retiring from the USAF in 1972, Tony obtained a Master’s Degree in Oceanography from Texas A&M University in 1974, and then began working towards a PhD in Industrial Technology at Clemson University in Clemson, SC. Tony later worked as an Engineer at General Dynamics (now Lockheed Martin) Ft. Worth Division until his retirement in 1992.

During the following years, he and his wife travelled extensively through Canada, Mexico, Europe, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand and many South Pacific islands. In addition, they traveled, photographed and cataloged all 254 county courthouses in Texas. They have been residing in Willow Park, Texas for the past 45 years. Tony was a lifelong learner and spoke six languages.

Tony married the love of his life, the former Hannelore Renate Ross, in 1961 while being stationed at Rhein Main Air Base in Germany. He is survived by his loving wife Renate Bautz, son Andrew Bautz, wife Lisa Bautz and grandson Blake Bautz of Dallas, his sister Sylvi Illyes and nephews Alex and Peter Illyes all of Ft. Worth, Texas. Tony was preceded in death by his son Thomas Bautz and nephew Istvan Illyes.

Tony was a brilliant, adventurous, and loving man who will be incredibly missed and remembered with fondness and love. Tony will be interned at the Dallas-Ft. Worth National Cemetery with Military Honors. May he Rest in Peace.

A graveside service will be held Thursday, March 16, 2023, at 3:00 p.m. at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery, 2000 Mountain Creek Pkwy, Dallas, Texas 75211.