Antonio Salvatore Mesa, of Blue Springs, Missouri passed away on Thursday, August 10, 2023 with his wife Vicky and son John by his side. Tony was born and raised in Garden City, Kansas to John and Mary Mesa.
 

After graduating from Boys Town, he enlisted in the United States Army. He served in Vietnam (1967-1968) and Germany (1968-1969) as a member of the United States Army Corps of Topographical Engineers.
 

Upon returning home, he attended Garden City Community College where he obtained an associate’s degree in 1971. He continued his studies at Kansas State University where he obtained a bachelor of science in sociology in 1973. He went on to receive a master of social work from the University of Kansas in 1975.
 

He would work as a social worker for the next eighteen years at the Kansas State Department of Social Rehabilitative Services (1975-2003) before moving on to the State Department of Aging (2003-2011) where he worked as a quality assurance supervisor. He also spent twenty six years (1994-2018) as a home care provider at the Center for Developmentally Disabled.
 

Tony was the Ccommander of the American GI Forum, Kansas City Area Chapter and local board member for the United States Selective Service System, Region 3. He was a board member of El Centro Inc., (1985-1987) and enjoyed coaching his son’s soccer teams at the YMCA.
 

Tony was a dedicated Catholic and member of St. Robert Bellarmine in Blue Springs, Missouri. Tony loved helping others and lived to serve.
 

Whether someone needed a ride, a babysitter, an extra hand making home improvements, or a loan, Tony was ready to help. He was a passionate man who loved listening to music, antiquing and keeping up on politics.
 

Tony is preceded in death by his father John G. Mesa; siblings John C. Mesa; Mary Rose Morley and Pasquale Mesa. Survivors include his wife Vicky Mesa; children Lisa Bruno; Antonio Mario Mesa; Melisa Mesa; Antonio Salvatore Mesa; and John Mesa; mother Maria Plescia; sister Clara Martinez; brothers Joe and Carlo Alvarado; 16 grandchildren and many loving nieces, nephews, great grandchildren and friends.
 

Visitation will be 9:30 a.m., followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m., Wednesday, August 16, 2023 at St. Robert Bellarmine Catholic Church, 4313 SW 7 HWY, Blue Springs, Missouri 64014.
 

Rosary service will be at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, August 17, 2023 at Garnand Funeral Home in Garden City, Kansas with burial to follow at Valley View Cemetery in Garden City. Friends may call from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Thursday at Garnand Funeral Home.
 

In lieu of flowers, please consider donation to The American GI Forum, P.O. Box 1702, Dodge City, Kansas 67801. AGIF is a Hispanic veterans and civil rights organization whose cause was near and dear to Tony’s heart.
 

May he rest in peace, forever in our hearts.