Anthony "Tony" Dudek

In Loving Memory of Anthony "Tony" Dudek

On Sunday, July 20, 2025, Anthony "Tony" Dudek, a devoted husband, proud father, cherished grandfather, and beloved friend, was welcomed into the arms of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He passed away peacefully at the age of 63, surrounded by love and the echoes of lives deeply touched by his own.

Born on November 14, 1961, in Elizabeth, New Jersey, Tony was the only son of Elizabeth "Betty" Dudek and the late Anthony Dudek. Faith was the cornerstone of Tony's life, guiding his every step and shining through in his acts of service, love, and generosity. He lived with purpose, believing salvation came through Christ alone, and his life was a testament to the hope and grace he found there.

To Tony, being a father was more than a role, it was a calling. He poured his heart into his children, Brittany and Jordan, not only as a parent but as a mentor, cheerleader, coach, and rock. In recent years, he embraced the joy of grand fatherhood with an open heart, forming an especially deep bond with his granddaughter, Fallon, whose resemblance to her "G-Pa" grows more striking by the day. The way he stepped into that role was effortless, as if it had been waiting for him all along. He was also anticipating the arrival of his second granddaughter, Scarlett Jay, her middle name a proud tribute to his own Catholic given name, Jason.

Tony's passion for life was evident in everything he touched. His love for cars wasn't just about horsepower or speed; it was about connection. Whether behind the wheel or trackside with fellow enthusiasts, Tony found community in motion. He inspired countless others to share in his love for racing, always eager to talk shop, as long as you knew your stuff. A die-hard Aryton Senna and Lewis Hamilton fan, he was loyal yet humble, always welcoming to those who saw the beauty in the sport.

And it wasn't just Formula 1. Tony's heart beat for his Atlanta Falcons and Braves. As a season ticket holder since 2012, he rode every high and low alongside his Dirty Birds, including the infamous heartbreak of the 2017 Super Bowl. Yet his loyalty never wavered.

Away from stadiums and racetracks, Tony found peace and rhythm in simpler things: refining his golf swing with dedicated discipline, sharing long walks on the beach with Colleen, his beloved wife of 42 years, firing up the Green Egg for a perfectly smoked meal, enjoying good music at concerts, making Polish pierogis, and raising a glass with friends to celebrate the ordinary magic of life. He even ran a Fantasy Formula 1 League, a perfect blend of his competitive spirit and love of camaraderie.

Professionally, Tony was a visionary. He began his IT career in 1981 and built an extraordinary legacy, holding leadership roles at Western Electric in Piscataway, New Jersey, BellSouth Information Systems in Tucker, Georgia, The Home Depot in Atlanta, GA, and ultimately retiring as Vice President of IT at AutoZone in Memphis, Tennessee in 2023. He nurtured not just systems and structures, but communities, mentoring teams with compassion and integrity. Tony continued his mentoring by holding a seat on the Board of Directors of Bridges, an organization that empowers youth to raise their voices, build connections, and lead transformative change in their communities. He often said his success came not from titles, but from trust in Jesus.

Tony's life overflowed with ministry. Whether greeting newcomers at church, leading small groups, serving as an elder, or bringing joy onstage in musicals, he gave his time, heart, and soul to the churches he called home: Redeemer Presbyterian in Snellville, GA, HighPoint (now Mission Church) in Memphis, TN, and Destiny Worship Center in Miramar Beach, FL.

He leaves behind a legacy of love, his best friend and devoted wife, Colleen; his children, Brittany Williams (Cory) and Jordan Dudek (Sessen); granddaughter, Fallon Williams and soon-to-arrive, Scarlett; his mother, Elizabeth "Betty" Dudek; sisters, Fran Pilch (Kenneth), Roseanne Rhinehart (David), and Elizabeth "Liz" Dudek; and a large extended family of nieces, nephews, and lifelong friends. He also leaves behind two four-legged companions, Shya and Benji, whom were part of the family as much as anyone else.

Tony is now home, walking joyfully in Heaven alongside his father, Anthony "Tony" Dudek, embraced by the everlasting light of his faith. Though he's no longer here in body, his spirit continues to race through our memories, echo in our laughter, and shine in the lives he helped shape.

The Family will have a visitation at 10:00 a.m. on August 16, 2025, with a service at 11:00 a.m. at Destiny Worship Center Chapel located at 122 Poinciana Boulevard in Miramar Beach, FL. The service will be streamed live as well as available for viewing after on The Davis Watkins Funeral Home website. https://www.daviswatkins.com/

In lieu of flowers, the family asks you to consider donating in Tony's honor to the GBM Foundation to help fund further treatments for Glioblastoma. https://www.gbmfoundation.com/donate

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