Anthony A. “Tony” Muehling Jr., USAF (Retired)
December 7, 1931 – October 16, 2019

Tony loved his family. He and Betty were married for sixty-three years. He was preceded in death by his youngest son, Michael Muehling. Tony is survived by his wife Betty, his sons Brian and Kent, his daughter-in-law Marcela and his granddaughter Marisa, as well as a number of nieces, nephews and dear friends. Although Tony sometimes came across as brash he had a soft side and dearly loved the people in his life.

Tony’s initial military service was with the U.S. Navy and he spent several years on a destroyer during the Korean War.

Tony then joined the U.S. Air Force in order to pursue his dream of being a pilot. Although his missions took him from Goose Bay, Labrador and beyond to the Pacific and elsewhere, Tony’s service as an Air Rescue and Recovery pilot during the Vietnam War constituted what he called his glory days. His on-duty performance earned him multiple medals and commendations.

He was a member of the Air Force Rescue Association and strongly believed in their motto “That Others May Live.” He and Betty enjoyed attending annual Rescue Association reunions, exchanging stories with friends, and discovering all the wonderful places (e.g. San Francisco, Savannah) where the reunions were held. He and Betty hosted the 2007 reunion in Louisville and it was a big success.

After his retirement from military service, Tony joined Equitable Life and had a successful career in Illinois and Texas as a Chartered Life Underwriter.

Tony loved jazz music, a stiff drink and good food, playing card games of all kinds, watching and critiquing movies, sharing good jokes (and some bad ones as well), and savoring butter pecan ice cream.

In recent years Tony and Betty lived at a personal care facility in Louisville inhabited and staffed by a number of people who loved them and knew they were loved in return.

~ GUEST BOOK ~

Tony always gave my mother-in-law, Mary grief about the horn on her walker. When she passed she wanted Tony to have her horn. I am confident that Tony used that horn frequently. Tony could be seen frequently rolling his eyes at something said as we heard Mary laughing throughout the building. Thank you Tony and Betty for your wonderful friendship.
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Pat McEachron – 1 hour ago

Uncle Anthony enjoyed his card games. Whenever we would visit, he wanted to play poker and would bring over his “sock” filled with silver change. He wouldn’t play for pennies. He was usually lucky, but hated when we girls (his nieces) would want wild cards – or at least he complained, but with a smile. I enjoyed teasing him when he lost, or even when he won. I think he actually enjoyed it too. Miss him already.
Amanda (AKA Jane)
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Amanda Porter – Yesterday at 11:47 AM

Somewhere in Uncle Anthony’s things are 2 decks of cards featuring him holding a pie. They are 2 views I caught after he had accidentally dropped the oversized pie upside-down on Betsy’s floor during a family get together. I am very touched he would hang onto those after all this time.
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SuZi Davis – Yesterday at 11:17 AM

“Marisa’s point of view.” I remember when we would play card games together and I would win no matter how hard Grandpa Tony tried. I knew he was happy for me. We loved to cuddle. I knew that even though I was adopted I still was his only granddaughter and I was super special to him. I know he knows I love him so much. I remember he was funny when it seemed he really was not, like when I was 6 years old and he told me not to close the van door on my hand or else my fingers would fall off.
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Marisa Muehling – Yesterday at 11:07 AM

When my Mom was still alive, she, Uncle Anthony, my sister Betsy and I would meet for a day of playing Pinochle to include lunch. UA’s loved Limburger cheese and Vidalia onion sandwiches on good rye bread. Mom loved them too but Betsy and I ate them out of self-defense so we were not overcome with the smell.
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SuZi Davis – Yesterday at 11:06 AM

No matter how much I thought I understood the sacrifice that my dad, mom and all military families made during military service, I constantly discover more, richer nuances. Last night we found a photo of dad and other U.S. Navy cadets when he shipped out to Japan and Korea in 1951. He had written a note on the back to his mom saying that he would not be able to see her for another two years… While dad was in Vietnam and other duty stations, Mom and all other military spouses carried on admirably in spite of the hardships, thanks in large part to the love, understanding and support of family, friends and counterparts. I am grateful that mom can continue to count on this support going forward.
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Brian Muehling – Yesterday at 10:48 AM

Dad dearly loved music, especially big band jazz, loud jazz, jazz vocal standards, and sometimes really avant-garde jazz with strange tempos (e.g. Ornette Coleman). I am grateful that he infected me with this passion and that my mom, who truly hated some of the bizarre sounds coming from dad’s stereo, still allowed me to chase this passion on my own. I cherish the memory, only weeks before his passing, of seeing both dad and mom grooving to some live-streaming jazz through their phones and earbuds, with sweet smiles on their faces and tapping toes.
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Brian Muehling – Yesterday at 10:41 AM

First and foremost, dad was an Air Rescue pilot with a passion for everything related to aviation. When he spoke openly of these things people listened attentively. I will always remember the time we were at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum touring exhibits of the WWII-era and more recent airplanes. Although dad was talking just with family members, his comments caught the attention of a number of others in the museum. Before I knew it, there were perhaps 20+ strangers hanging on his every word. Some of them, surprised to learn that dad was not in fact a docent at the museum, said that he should have been.
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Brian Muehling – Yesterday at 10:35 AM

Our friendship goes back many years as we met at the airport on the day our guys were leaving for flight training school. Tony and Betty have been dear friends for a long time and Tony will certainly be missed. Our family will always remember Tony visiting our house on the day of the historical Moon Landing. Rest in peace dear friend
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Mary Jo Goss – Yesterday at 09:25 AM