Robert Anthony "Tony" Plumb

Robert Anthony “Tony” Plumb passed away on April 29th, 2025. Tony was born on November 8th, 1943, to Claude and Mary Jayne (Zavits) Plumb in Corpus Christi, Texas. He was the second oldest of four children. The family moved to Chester, Illinois, when he was young. He attended Catholic schools and always had fond memories of growing up in Chester – as an adult he even subscribed to the Chester newspaper for years. The family moved back to South Texas towards the end of his high school years. He graduated from Gregory-Portland High School in 1962 and immediately enlisted to serve his country in the United States Army. After basic training, he spent most of his army years in Anchorage, Alaska, where he made lifelong friends with whom he always kept in touch and visited any chance he could return to Alaska, a place he dearly loved. When his time in the service ended, he moved back to Portland, where he met the love of his life, Lorene James, the daughter of Logan and Pearl James. They were married on August 27, 1965, and would have celebrated 60 years of marriage this year. They were blessed with two wonderful children, Kimberly Ann (Kim) in 1966 and Raymond Michael (Mike) in 1969.

After working briefly at the Corpus Christi Caller Times, he started his career using the skills he learned in the Army as a metal smith at Corpus Christi Army Depot. He traveled to military bases worldwide, repairing helicopters for the Army. He loved traveling to different places and always brought something unique to Lorene and the kids. He especially loved his time in Panama and South Korea. While he enjoyed his work, the constant repetitiveness and manual labor caused issues with his joints, and he took early retirement and eventually had both hips and knees replaced – although that never slowed him down. He was never one to sit still, and in retirement, he worked many odd jobs over the next 25-plus years. He was very good at woodworking, and could repair anything. For several years, he was known as “The Trunk Man”, spending lots of time discovering and restoring antique trunks. Family and friends still enjoy the many antiques trunks he restored. He treasured time outdoors, where he and his wife upgraded their camping experience by becoming RVers during retirement. He loved long and short camping trips with family and friends. It was a sad day for him when he recently sold his last travel trailer, calling it ‘the end of an era’.

He was a devoted husband and a good father. When his son passed away at an early age, although he was heartbroken and carried that with him daily, he still kept his incredible sense of humor and lived life to the fullest. He was a true patriot and very proud of his service in the Army. If you visited him, you would rarely find him inside, as he spent his days in his garage workshop, enjoying being outside. He will always be deeply missed.

Tony is preceded in death by his dear “Mommy and Daddy,” as he always referred to them, Mary Jayne and Claude Plumb, his mother and father-in-law, Pearl and Logan James, his beloved and only son, Michael Plumb, and many sisters and brothers-in-law, nieces, and nephews.

He is survived by his precious wife Lorene, his daughter Kim and husband Jeff Rollwitz, his Grandchildren Mason (Shanna) Rollwitz, Jake (Amanda) Rollwitz, Madison Plumb, Christian Plumb, and three great-grandchildren, James Cunningham, Madelyn Rollwitz, and Reecie Rollwitz.

He is also survived by his siblings, Mike (Cheryl) Plumb, Erin (Bill) Garrison, and Mary (Wayne) Dunham, brother-in-law Paul James, special cousin Bill Kadanka, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He leaves many dear friends, especially Jeannine DeMoss and Zig Watten who have been neighbors and like a second son and daughter for over 30 years.

A memorial service celebrating Tony’s life will be held at 10:00 a.m. on May 31st, 2025, at Winsteads' Funeral Home in Portland, Texas. His ashes will be laid to rest beside his beloved son.

Memorials in Tony’s memory may be made to Tunnels to Towers Foundation or any veterans organizations of your choice.

Arrangements are under the direction and personal care of the professionals at Winsteads' Funeral Home. (361) 643-6564 www.winsteadsfuneralhome.com