Pablo Retana

Springfield, MO — On Monday evening, September 9, 2019, Pablo (Tony) A. Retana, age 74, passed away peacefully in his home.

Mr. Retana is survived by his son Mark, his wife Leanne and their child, Fox; and son Phillip, and his wife Carrie.

Tony picked up a love of fishing while growing up as a child in rural Costa Rica, where the main ingredients of a daily meal were foraged or caught. As a teenager, he moved with his mother and brother to East Los Angeles, CA, enrolling in Garfield High School.

Following his graduation, Mr. Retana became a top student of Osamu Ozawa, who was the highest-ranking Shotokan Karate master in the Western Hemisphere until his death in 1998. During his time at Master Ozawa’s dojo, Tony had the honor to train and spar with Takayuki Kubota, among other notable Black Belts of the time.

At the height of the Vietnam War, Tony and his brother Carlos enlisted in the U.S. Army to serve their country. It is there that he served with distinction as an Infantryman and was trained in explosive demolitions. The discipline and patriotism he learned in the Army never left him, as friends and family will attest.

Upon his return to civilian life, Mr. Retana started a career working for Sears as an auto technician, where he worked for over a decade. It is during this time that he met and married the love of his life, Alicia (Alice) Polanco. Tony and Alice were happily married for over 40 years.

Graveside services for Mr. Retana will be held this Friday September 13, 2019 at 10:30 am in Resurrection Cemetery, Springfield, Missouri with Father Lewis Hejna officiating. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Herman H. Lohmeyer Funeral Home in Springfield, Missouri.

Permanent online condolences, stories and photos may be shared at www.hhlohmeyer.com