Tony Ewing

Tony Ernest Ewing, 67, died Sunday morning, December 14,2008 at the VA hospital, Gainesville, FL. Funeral services will be held Friday, December 19, 2008 at 11:00 am at Pugh Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will be in Asheboro City Cemetery.Graduating from Randleman High School in 1959, he joined the United States Air Force, and was assigned to Ellington Air Force base, TX. Upon completion he was assigned to Patrick Air Force base, FL. Employed in the United States Air Force Aero Space command, Cape Canaveral (now Cape Kennedy), FL he participated in the first man space program. Here he chauffeured several dignitaries, including Senator John F. Kennedy, General Jimmy Steward, Admiral Himan Rickover, Lyndon Johnson, and several celebrities. Among the celebrity list were Roy Rogers, Dale Evans and John Wayne. He was the only airman on the USS George Washington nuclear submarine to accompany the firing of the first polaras missile. Completing his military service, he was the 35th person in seniority of 35,000 employees hired for the man space program by Nasa through TW A and was assigned to the transportation department. He served with the Air National Guard for eleven years as an Air Policeman, and Combat arms instructor, Jacksonville, FL. During his tenure he achieved a degree in Business Administration. Upon completion he began employment with Greyhound bus line. He was employed there for 15 years where he chauffeured celebrities such as John Madden on the Madden Cruiser supported by Greyhound. He was also employed by Fantasy Tours in FL and chauffeured many Universities and tours all over the continental US. Surviving are his wife, Linda Ewing of Lake City, FL; two daughters, Toni Ewing Rosato, and her husband Dominic of Charleston, SC: Susan Ewing Music, and her husband Brian of Lake City, FL; one son Michael Odom and his wife Beverly of Lake City, FL. Mother, Gladys Foster Mathis of Asheboro, NC. One brother, Daniel Stalker of Asheboro, NC, three sisters; Patti Stalker Eakes and her husband Dowell of Sanford, NC, Jane Stalker Connor and her husband Bob, of Asheboro, NC, and Susan Stalker Cranford and her husband Dennis of Denton, NC., seven grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren, 4 nieces, and 4 nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Dwight Sloan Ewing. Tony was a loving husband, father, grandfather, son, brother and uncle. We loved him dearly and his memory will live in our hearts forever. The family will receive friends Thursday, December 18, 2008 from 6 - 8 pm at Pugh Funeral Home, 437 Sunset Avenue, Asheboro, NC. Memorials can be made to the American Heart Association 4217 Park Place Court, Glen Allen, VA 23060 Or American Diabetes Association P.O. Box 11454, Alexandria, VA 22312.