Antonio Mondragon

Antonio Mondragon, best known as Tony, age 88, died April 7, 2025 and was preceded in death by his wife, Helen Mondragon; his son, Mike Mondragon; and his grandson Mario Mondragon. Tony and Helen were wed on September 18, 1954, spent 61 years side by side and are now resting peacefully together again.

Born April 27, 1936, in Mesita, Colorado, Tony was the oldest son of the late Antonio and Grace Mondragon, who had a blessed family of nine sons and daughters. Tony is survived by his brother John (Nelly) Mondragon, Martha Mondragon, Theresa (Warren) Andress, Ruby (Sam) Ponce, and Bertha Mondragon. Tony’s siblings that preceded him in death are Isabel Reyes, Alfonso Mondragon, and Arnold Mondragon. Tony had numerous cousins throughout Southern Colorado and northern New Mexico who he kept in touch with and spoke to often, even through the last week of his life.

Tony is survived by his daughters Gloria (David) Mondragon, and Lorraine Mondragon, daughter-in-law, Antoinette; grandchildren, Nino Diaz, Mo (Leeanne) Mondragon, Rachel (Mike) Mondragon; and great-grandchildren, Dominic (Alexia) Diaz, Nathan Ramos, Isaiah Mondragon, Evelyn Martin; and great-great grandchildren Liam and Mila Diaz.

Tony was a hard-working man, and spent 34 years working as a machinist for Nibco in both La Junta, Colorado and Reynosa, Mexico. While working at Nibco in La Junta, he also taught tool and die-making to machinist students at Otero Junior College. From 1986 to 1988, Tony and his wife, Helen, owned and operated Mi Casita, a small Mexican restaurant in La Junta, but gave that up to spend a decade living in McAllen, Texas and drove across the border every day to work in Reynosa, Mexico. In 1999, Tony and his wife, Helen, retired permanently in Grand Junction, Colorado, to be near their kids and grandkids, and spent time traveling, fishing, and camping frequently.

Tony loved to talk to people and could find a friend wherever he went. He was fond of telling stories about the past and loved to go fishing with his wife and kids. He liked watching a good sports game and could be found with a Rockies game on the tv anytime. Tony will be loved and remembered fondly as his surviving family recalls some of his favorite stories and adventures.