Ronald Anthony Strnad

Ronald Anthony Strnad, who most knew as Tony or Ron, age 83, of Gulfport, passed away on Friday, June 28, 2024. 

Tony was born January 31, 1941, in Cleveland, Ohio to Blanche and Otto Strnad. Upon graduating Benedictine Catholic High School, he entered the U.S. Air Force in 1961.Tony was assigned to Columbus Air Force Base, Strategic Air Command in Columbus, Mississippi, where he served as an electrician and administrative clerk. Little did he know, he was under the command of his future father-in-law Major Frolin F. Kostellic, Jr. 

Following a brief meeting, he began dating Margaret F. Kostellic. They later eloped and married on Nov. 14, 1963. After the birth of their first daughter, they left the Air Force and returned to Cleveland for four years before moving to Gulfport, Mississippi where they had their second daughter. 

Tony spent nearly his entire life working as a civil servant. He was employed at Ford Motor Co. in Cleveland, was a welder at CE NATCO in Gulfport, worked in the supply department at the Naval Construction Battalion Center in Gulfport and his retirement job of ten years at United States Marine Inc., retiring at the age of 80. 

For ten years Tony would often spend time restoring his $50 Mustang purchase into a beautiful 1968 candy apple red metallic dream car. His love for antique and classic cars was expressed through his membership in the Antique Auto and Engine Club of Mississippi and is what led him to help start the annual Cruisin’ the Coast event in Gulfport.

After hurricane Katrina and the loss of their home, the couple moved to Colorado where they had the joy of being with their grandchildren. Missing the beach and his car clubs, the couple moved back to Gulfport in 2008.

In addition to being an avid hat collector, Tony was an Atlanta Braves baseball fan through and through. He enjoyed fishing, golf, westerns, rock and roll music and playing cards. But nothing beat time with his family. 

One of his greatest pleasures was traveling every summer up and down the east coast, the Smokey Mountains, the state of Florida and Disney World from the very first year it opened to their 60th wedding anniversary. 

Tony is survived by his wife, Margaret F. Strnad; daughters, Margaret Ann Strnad and Amber Marie Lena; brothers, Robert, Gerald and Kenneth Strnad; sister-in-law Joanne Strnad; grandchildren, Hayden Charles Lena, his wife Kelsey Grace, Haley Marie Lena; great-granddaughter, Ruth Marie Lena; and numerous nieces and nephews. 

The service will be held at Bradford O’Keefe Funeral Home, located at 1726 15th St. on Wednesday, July 3, 2024. Friends may visit for one-hour beginning at 10:00 a.m. prior to the service at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow at the Biloxi National Cemetery with U.S. Air Force honors. Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, 15th Street, Gulfport is honored to serve the Strnad family.

In lieu of flowers, the family ask that donations be made to the American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org/donate.html. 

Thank you to all the doctors and nurses at Memorial Hospital, Encompass Care, St. Joseph Hospice, and family for taking special care of Tony. Another thanks to all of those who filled his life with love and laughter that helped make his days with us happy and fulfilling.