Obituary of
Koste, Hugh Anthony
A Celebration of Life is being held at 11:00 am on Saturday, May 1, 2021 at the Interfaith Peace Chapel, on the grounds of the Cathedral of Hope, located at 5910 Cedar Springs, Dallas, TX. Facial masks and social distancing will be required. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Cathedral of Hope; the American Cancer Society; or to the charity of your choice.
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Tony was born in Effingham, Illinois on January 29, 1954. He graduated from St. Anthony High School; went to Brazil as an exchange student and achieved his BA in Journalism at Eastern Illinois University. In 1978, along with his sister Coleen and cousin Deanne, Tony moved to Long Beach, CA. He worked in mobile home sales, where he designed his own mobile home and lived.
Tony met the person who would become the “love of his life” Michael (Mike) Potter at a stop light on Atlantic Boulevard in Long Beach, CA in 1979. Shortly after, Tony sold his home and they moved in together. Next, Tony went to work in Operator Services at GTE, where he made several friends. In 1981 Tony and Mike moved to Cypress CA. Tony created Park Life Magazine in 1982, which catered to mobile home living. In 1985 they moved back to Long Beach. During their time in California Tony and Mike hosted several dinner and holiday parties. In 1989 they made a couple of trips to Houston, TX to check out starting a new chapter in their lives. Then GTE opted to open a new Headquarters in Dallas, TX and their world changed!
Tony was offered to relocate to a job in management at the GTE temporary headquarters in Williams Square, Irving TX. GTE later moved to their permanent headquarters on Hidden Ridge, also in Irving. Initially Mike remained in Long Beach but made several trips to visit. To make new friends Tony joined a singles group at St. Ann’s Parish in Coppell, where he made several good and wonderful friends.
Tony loved the Valley Ranch planned community, which was near his job, so he rented an apartment. While walking along the canal he saw a townhouse he liked in the Tree Tops. He proceeded to purchase the townhouse, and the other half of the duplex belonged to Jeanette Bell. As we all know, if you know Jeanette, you will have lots of friends. Tony was having a great time, so in 1990 Mike transferred to the new USPS Processing Center in Coppell. At Thanksgiving of 1990, Jeanette introduced them to Jeff Larson & Steve Wenger. Jeanette, Jeff, and Steve are their best friends and like family to them.
In 1994 Tony and Mike sold the townhouse and moved across the canal to a larger, two story home, with a two-car garage home. At the end of 1994 Jeff and Steve moved to Valley Ranch from Mesquite. After that, there were lots of Chili Parties, Thanksgiving and Holiday gatherings and pool parties were enjoyed.
In 2003, after several trips to Galveston to check it out – Tony bought a condo. He loved the beach and shared many good times with friends who came to visit. In 2012 Tony was diagnosed with prostate cancer. It was successfully treated with an experimental treatment called Proton Therapy at MD Anderson, in Houston. Rather than the normal 41 treatments, this therapy was more concentrated and completed after 16. This treatment is now approved and a highly recommended treatment for various cancers.
Tony was involved in architectural design and standards and participated on several committees for Valley Ranch Master Association. He also produced a newsletter for Valley Ranch and was published multiple times on the Letters to the Editor section at the Dallas Morning News.
GTE merged with Bell Atlantic Corp to become Verizon Communications Inc on June 30, 2000. While he had made lots of friends during his time at GTE/Verizon in both CA and TX, Tony was offered a reduction in work force package and retired from Verizon in 2008. Thinking back now, it gave the two of them many years together without the burdens of going to work! After retirement Tony took up painting, and his pen name was Hugo Antonio!! He even sold one.
Sadly, in September of 2020 Tony was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer. After enduring numerous treatments and procedures in the months following, he lost the battle the afternoon of March 9, 2021 with Mike at his side, and Jeanette minutes later.
Tony was preceded in death by his parents Nick and Rosemary Koste, as well as in brother-in-law, John Cordes. He is survived by his lifetime partner of 42 years - Michael Potter; his sisters Coleen Linde and Kayla Cordes; brother- in-law Jeff Linde; nieces Kaitlin and Kourtney Cordes and Kelly Linde; and nephew Tyler Linde, as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins and so many friends. Tony was blessed with a wonderful, supportive family.
Please leave condolences and share memories on this website.
Tribute Wall of Koste, Hugh Anthony
Tony was a dear cherished friend. He had an outgoing personalituy, and was a loving, kind and jovial person. I sometimes referred to Tony as my “Dallas Auto Show buddy” When Fred was unable to go with me, Toney and I would go just to window shop all makes and models.
While we will miss Tony, he will always be in our hearts and memories.
Our sincere condolences to Mike Potter
Roy and Fred
Roy
Thursday October 13, 2022
Tony was a dear cherished friend. He had an outgoing personalituy, and was a loving, kind and jovial person. I sometimes referred to Tony as my "Dallas Auto Show buddy" When Fred was unable to go with me, Toney and I would go just to window shop all makes and models.
While we will miss Tony, he will always be in our hearts and memories.
Our sincere condolences to Mike Potter
Roy and Fred
I know of Tony via Michael, Via Richard Castle, Michael and Richard both Worked for the USPS, I met Richard In Long Beach back in 1998.
Long Distance hugs from Mountain View CA.
Kevin Nutt
Thursday October 13, 2022
I know of Tony via Michael, Via Richard Castle, Michael and Richard both Worked for the USPS, I met Richard In Long Beach back in 1998.
Long Distance hugs from Mountain View CA.
Tony was a dear and kind person who is missed by those who loved him or had an acquaintance with him. I’m grateful to have known him. I appreciate his dedication and love to my brother,Mike. Thanks to all who helped in with days before and after Tony’s passing. A special heartfelt thanks to Jeanette for all you have done.
Linda Bostwick
Thursday October 13, 2022
Tony was a dear and kind person who is missed by those who loved him or had an acquaintance with him. I’m grateful to have known him. I appreciate his dedication and love to my brother,Mike. Thanks to all who helped in with days before and after Tony’s passing. A special heartfelt thanks to Jeanette for all you have done.
TONY was such a loving and caring. He will definitely be missed.
Ken Sims
Thursday October 13, 2022
TONY was such a loving and caring. He will definitely be missed.
Tony is so missed. He has a very gentle soul. Rest in Peace my friend.
Jeff Larson
Thursday October 13, 2022
Tony is so missed. He has a very gentle soul. Rest in Peace my friend.
We have so many Wonderful Memories of Tony to Cherish…
Steve Wenger
Thursday October 13, 2022
We have so many Wonderful Memories of Tony to Cherish...
Tony had this beautiful light and kindness that just radiated from him. He was a beautiful person and will be sincerely missed. My condolences to Mike, Colleen, Kayla and the rest of the family. Love you.
Julie Schweers
Thursday October 13, 2022
Tony had this beautiful light and kindness that just radiated from him. He was a beautiful person and will be sincerely missed. My condolences to Mike, Colleen, Kayla and the rest of the family. Love you.
Tony will be sorely missed by many. I am so happy I was able to help the priest come to him at his last hours since Mike let my Mom, his cousin Deanne know he was close to dying. He was devoted to the Mother of God by wearing her Brown Scapular during the last months of his life and she kept her promise of helping him during his last moments sending a good priest to hear his confession and assist his spirit to have a holy death. We will always pray for him and those close to him. May God grant him eternal rest and let the perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul and all the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen. Deo gratias
Aymee Peters
Thursday October 13, 2022
Tony will be sorely missed by many. I am so happy I was able to help the priest come to him at his last hours since Mike let my Mom, his cousin Deanne know he was close to dying. He was devoted to the Mother of God by wearing her Brown Scapular during the last months of his life and she kept her promise of helping him during his last moments sending a good priest to hear his confession and assist his spirit to have a holy death. We will always pray for him and those close to him. May God grant him eternal rest and let the perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul and all the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen. Deo gratias
Tony was a great co-worker and friend during my GTE years. He was fun to be around. My thoughts are with you Mike. He was a decent man of many talents.
Such a loss!
Jim Thomas
Thursday October 13, 2022
Tony was a great co-worker and friend during my GTE years. He was fun to be around. My thoughts are with you Mike. He was a decent man of many talents.
Such a loss!
Tony may you be enjoying a margarita in the heavens above watching over us! May you Rest In Peace and may your family have strength! I will miss your smile and laughter.
Loree Tillman
Thursday October 13, 2022
Tony may you be enjoying a margarita in the heavens above watching over us! May you Rest In Peace and may your family have strength! I will miss your smile and laughter.
My heart is completely broken. I miss you so much. I love you
Kayla Cordes
Thursday October 13, 2022
My heart is completely broken. I miss you so much. I love you
Tony was my nephew but more like my younger brother. As adults we became very close friends sharing views and spending time together. Many memories of trips with him and time with him when he visited back home. Most precious memory is a two hour FaceTime call just two weeks before he died. Love and hugs to Michael and Co and Kayla ❤️.
Ann Platt
Thursday October 13, 2022
Tony was my nephew but more like my younger brother. As adults we became very close friends sharing views and spending time together. Many memories of trips with him and time with him when he visited back home. Most precious memory is a two hour FaceTime call just two weeks before he died. Love and hugs to Michael and Co and Kayla ❤️.
Tony you will be missed dearly!I’ll always remember our talks and how sweet and loving you were to Coleen and Kayla during your trips home. Mike you have my friendship always and deepest sympathy.
Donna McDevitt Jones
Thursday October 13, 2022
Tony you will be missed dearly!I'll always remember our talks and how sweet and loving you were to Coleen and Kayla during your trips home. Mike you have my friendship always and deepest sympathy.
Tony and I never met, but I feel I knew him well as we exchanged stories via email and texts about our individual medical conditions that we shared. My condolences to Mike Potter and all other family and friends.
Tim J Taylor.
Tim J Taylor
Thursday October 13, 2022
Tony and I never met, but I feel I knew him well as we exchanged stories via email and texts about our individual medical conditions that we shared. My condolences to Mike Potter and all other family and friends.
Tim J Taylor.
So sorry to hear of Tony’s Passing.Heis/was a founding member of our V RA & will be remembered in our thought & prayer this Holy Week in Irving, Coppell.
Hubert Walsh
Thursday October 13, 2022
So sorry to hear of Tony’s Passing.Heis/was a founding member of our V RA & will be remembered in our thought & prayer this Holy Week in Irving, Coppell.
My heartfelt condolences go out to Tony’s family. I did not know Tony exceptionally well, but he served as a mentor to me on the Valley Ranch Commercial Board. He was kind, insightful and always wanted what was best for the community. He will be missed.
Douglas Laher
Thursday October 13, 2022
My heartfelt condolences go out to Tony's family. I did not know Tony exceptionally well, but he served as a mentor to me on the Valley Ranch Commercial Board. He was kind, insightful and always wanted what was best for the community. He will be missed.
Tony will be sorely missed as a kind and thoughtful member of our community; in words and deeds he made Valley Ranch a better place. I will remember him always as a true friend.
Steve Adams
Thursday October 13, 2022
Tony will be sorely missed as a kind and thoughtful member of our community; in words and deeds he made Valley Ranch a better place. I will remember him always as a true friend.
Marco Island, Fla. Deepest sympathy,Michael,Coleen, and Kayla. His dad and mother joyfully welcome him to the heavenly kingdom! Uncle Bill
William Mcdevitt
Thursday October 13, 2022
Marco Island, Fla. Deepest sympathy,Michael,Coleen, and Kayla. His dad and mother joyfully welcome him to the heavenly kingdom! Uncle Bill
I’m so sorry to hear about Tony’s passing. We loved him very much and will miss him forever. Dusty Ayala & Family
Dusty Ayala
Thursday October 13, 2022
I'm so sorry to hear about Tony's passing. We loved him very much and will miss him forever. Dusty Ayala & Family