Anton Derek Smits

Our son, brother, uncle, cousin, friend, and colleague, Anton Derek Smits, “Tony” to family and some friends, passed from this world much too soon after a brief illness on July 21, 2025, with loved ones by his side.  He was 65 years old.

Anton was born in Chicago and graduated from Oak Park & River Forest High School in 1978.  It was there that he discovered that he was fast and a ferocious competitor.  He was one of the best high school middle distance runners in the state in 1978-79, with a kick that was feared by opponents.  He was multi-talented and studied viola, playing in the OPRFHS orchestra for four years. 

Anton served honorably in the Illinois Air National Guard (IANG) for 29 years, retiring in 2009 with the rank of Master Sergeant. He received numerous decorations, medals and commendations. As a member of the IANG, he worked on communications infrastructure at bases in England, Germany, Spain, Italy, Saudia Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar and Iraq, among others, as well as bases in numerous states throughout the US.  The skills he acquired in the IANG led to employment with Illinois Bell/Ameritech/SBC/AT&T as a technician and membership in Electrical Contractors’ & I.B.E.W. Local No. 134.  He retired in 2022. 

Anton had a passion for music and loved to attend and photograph live shows.  Fitzgerald’s and The Hideout were favorite local venues.  The collection of CDs, photographs, and ticket stubs he left behind is impressive in the number, quality and breadth of the artists he supported, and he delighted in exposing his friends to the music and the artists he favored.

Anton was preceded in death by his father Henry Ronald Smits.  He is survived by his mother, Shani Amira, stepmother, Ann Smits, siblings: Eric (Becky), Patrick Henry III (Laurie), Laura Martinez (Byrt), Joseph, aunts: Arlene Crowe, Sharon Gilson (Paul), niece: Amanda, nephews: Michael, Nicholas, Patrick, Patrick IV, Dayne, numerous cousins, grandnieces and grandnephews, and many friends. 

Tony worked hard, played hard, and he served his country with distinction. Tony was determined to always do things his way, often with a knowing, wry humor.  He will be missed but will live on in our hearts and memories. 

A service with full military honors and a celebration of Anton’s life at Fitzgerald’s will be held in late October.

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