Lompoc native and lifetime resident Anton "Tony" Serres, 78, died Thursday, March 14, 2013 in Lompoc following a brief illness. Tony was born to George and Cecelia Marsalek Serres. He graduated from Lompoc High with the class of 1952 where he was an avid football player. He was a veteran of the US Army. His interests included the Lompoc Future Farmers of America (FFA) and the Lompoc Elks Lodge where he had the privilege of being a charter member of both organizations. His other favorite pastimes included membership with the Vaqueros De Los Ranchos and the Santa Barbara County Cattlemen's Association.

In 1953, Tony began a 44-year long working career with Great Lakes Carbon Mining, formerly known as Grefco Minerals. He started as a welder, and over the years moved up to management retiring in 1997 as maintenance supervisor. He enjoyed retirement immensely by partnering with Clifton and Brooke in Serres Cattle Co. and gathering eggs with his grandson Drew at Rancho Marguerite.

Survivors include his son Clifton Serres and his wife Brooke of Salem, Oregon, sister Mary "Aggie" Carter of Lompoc, former wife Dora "Sam" Shelton of Fresno, grandchildren; Andrew Serres of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Hayley Serres of Salem, niece Barbara (Leonard) Morales of Castaic, California, nephew Randall (Janet) Carter of Lompoc, nephew James (Kelly) Carter of Phoenix, Arizona, great nephews and nieces; Lewis Hoskinson of Lompoc, Scott and Brian Carter of Las Vegas, Nevada, Chelsey and Cody Carter of Phoenix, and loving companion Rosie Martinez of Lompoc.

Graveside services will be 10 a.m. Friday, May 24 at Los Alamos Cemetery, 4777 Drum Canyon Road in Los Alamos under the auspices of St. Anthony's Catholic Church of Los Alamos and St. Louis de Montfort Catholic Church of Santa Maria. A Celebration of Life will follow 1:30 p.m. at the Lompoc Elks Lodge #2274, 905 East Ocean Ave in Lompoc.

Tony will be lovingly missed and remembered by many for being a good friend, father, grandfather and beloved companion. Should friends desire, in lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the charity of their choice.

Arrangements are in the care of Starbuck-Lind Mortuary.