Anthony J. "Tony" Chudy Sr.

Anthony James Chudy, Sr.  “Tony” passed from this life on May 5, 2023. Born on April 26, 1935, to Jacob and Frances Lukaszewicz Chudy of NLR. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Charles, sister Mary Ann, son and daughter-in-law Anthony, Jr and Sonja, daughter-in-law Kimberly, and son-in-law Denver Roy. He is survived by his wife of 67 years Orah Lee, 8 children Deborah Roy, Georgia Campbell (Wayne), Dennis, Susan Behr (Wayne), Christopher (Roxie), Paul (Sherri), Gregory and Julie, 14 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. He graduated from Catholic High in 1953. He retired from Southwestern Bell after 36 years of service. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening, woodworking, old phones and raising bees. He also enjoyed polka dancing, square dancing and going on cruises. He was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church and Men’s Club. He volunteered at the school for many years where he enjoyed being around the kids. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Catholic High School or IHM School. The family would like to thank Gentiva Hospice especially Jeremy Belknap and Blair Presley and as well as his caregivers Bailey Camp, Stephanie Jones, and Natasha Jackson for their kind and gentle care of daddy during his final days.

Visitation is 5:00 to 7:00 PM, Friday, May 12, 2023 at Smith North Little Rock Funeral Home.  Rosary will follow at 7:00 PM.  Mass of Christian Burial is 10:00 AM, Saturday, May 13, 2023 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church.  Interment will follow at Immaculate Heart of Mary Cemetery.

Quotes from his family:

“ He was a good man who sacrificed for his family.”

“He worked hard for his family which in turn instilled in all of us a great work ethic. He would do anything for us.”

“When we were kids, my dad never really told us he loved us but we knew he did through his actions. He worked hard every day of his life to support his wife and nine kids. He truly loved us. Two things he taught us were, hard work never hurt anyone and if you do a job, do it right the first time.”

“He instilled in each of us a great work ethic, love, and the meaning of family. You knew when he said something needed to be done, don’t ask how, just do it. Always said if you don’t have time to do it right the first time, when will you have time to do it again.”

“Daddy truly was a man of few words. He instilled in his kids many life lessons but the most important one of all was to be a servant of the Lord and to give back. He taught us the value of hard work and to never quit. He truly sacrificed daily for mom and us kids. We will miss him dearly but take great comfort in knowing he is no longer in pain but with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.”

“When you lose someone as special as my father-in-law, Tony Chudy, memories spill out -- the first time I met him, the time he was in MN for one of the kids graduation and he told me a story that had him laughing so hard he couldn’t breathe, his look when you knew you had crossed a line, I did that quite a bit with him but loved our conversations. I’ll cherish the last one at Easter we had, just me and him, he accepted this Damn Yankee as one of his own.  The day I married his son, he sat down and told me, ‘You’re family now, I’ll have your back.’ He raised 9 children who are all pretty great peeps. He loved his grandchildren and great grands. He adored his wife, Orah Lee and I am certain he was holding on for one last moment with her. He was a man of faith and family. His Polish Heritage was ever present. He will be missed by anyone who’s ever had the chance to spend a minute with him. I truly respected and loved him and will miss him, going forward. Rest well Tony, I’m sure there’s a polka band and beer in Heaven.”

“When I was 16, I told my dad I didn’t have to do anything he told me to do anymore, he said okay, go in the house and study so you can make good for yourself. Then he said, you don’t have to do anything else I say but promise me one thing, put a can of beer in my casket.”

I came home on our anniversary one year and there were flowers on the counter. I went back to tell Tony thank you and give him a hug. He said ‘how do you know I did it?’ I said, ‘because you have your shoes on.” (he had quit driving by then)