Hikmat Rasheed “Tony” Antonios, age 72, died at his home in Huntsville, Alabama on May 27, 2014.
Mr. Antonios was born on February 2, 1942 in Tripoli, Lebanon to Rasheed Hikmat and Mariam Nazha Antonios. He was the first of his family to immigrate to the United States in 1960. He attended college at Warren Wilson in Swannanoa, North Carolina, where he met his wife, Joanna, and was an all-American soccer player two years.
He moved to Huntsville in 1967 and managed Family Footwear, Inc. for several years before buying and expanding the business. Tony was among the first employers to hire D.E. students from Grissom High School in the early 70’s, and impacted the lives of many young people. After closing the shoe stores, he had many other business ventures. His last was being the owner and President of Medallion Builders.
He was an active member and Ruling Elder of Faith Presbyterian Church. Tony served on the boards of The Key, Civitan Club, The Vine, and was recently on the City Council Planning Commission. He was a past President of the Huntsville/Madison County Builders Association, and served as a Chairman of the Remodelers Council.
Throughout the years, Tony enjoyed soccer, tennis, racquetball, hiking, traveling, and mostly spending time with his family. He was a wonderful husband, father, papa, and friend to many. Tony loved life and people, and in turn, was loved by all he met. He recently said, “Joanna was the best thing that ever happened to me. I have led a charmed life with no regrets.” He will be missed by all who knew him.
Tony is survived by his wife, Joanna Antonios; daughters, Mariam Steele (Steve) and Monique Fleming (Mike); son, Rasheed Antonios; grandchildren, Josh Steele (Molly), Lauren Steele Kling (Phillips), Brittany Fleming, Austin Fleming, and Samantha Fleming; great-grandchildren, Sela and Scarlett Steele, all of Huntsville; sister, May Farah of Windermere, California; and many nieces and nephews. Tony was preceded in death by his parents, Rasheed and Mariam Antonios; brothers, Jawdat Antonios and Izzat Antonios; and sisters, Mutia Homsi and Mona Dakhil.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, May 29, from 6-8 pm, at the fellowship hall of Faith Presbyterian Church. A “Celebration of Life” Service will follow on May 30, at 1:00 pm, at Faith Presbyterian Church. (www.laughlinservice.com)
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Faith Presbyterian Church.
