Tony Lujan

Tony Lujan was born on June 21, 1950, in Alpine, Texas, and passed away on December 11, 2025, in Midland, Texas. A beloved father, grandfather, and legendary musician. Tony lived a life defined by music, humor, and deep West Texas roots.

At the age of 17, Tony bought his first guitar for $15--money he earned cutting grass. That guitar ignited a lifelong passion for music that would make him a fixture in West Texas for decades. Known by many, he was the greatest lead guitar player in the region. Tony’s sound was unmistakable, heartfelt, and deeply connected to the places and people he loved.

In the mid 1970’s, Tony worked as a Licensed Vocational Nurse, caring for others at Big Bend Regional Medical Center. Later in life, he worked at a horse concession in Big Bend National Park, guiding tourists through the Chisos Mountains, where his love of horses and outdoors flourished.

Music, however, was Tony’s true calling. Over the years, he played lead guitar with countless bands and musicians, crossing genres, borders, and generations. He played in the choir at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church. His bands and collaborations included Rick Ruiz and A Few Too Many; Rio Gran with Flop Parsons, Terry Bullard and the Silver Bullet Band; Craig Carter and the Spur of the Moment Band; Mariachi de la Paz and Grupo de la Paz in Alpine; Mariachi Santa Cruz and Resonators with Presidio musicians; Los Aventureros of Alpine; Sabor Latino; Hypnotix; Breakdown; Backburner; Rebels Without Applause; Wrecks; Night Riders; Joe Jasper and His Horse Buddies; Butterfield Stagecoach and Chitlin Brothers with John Joe Cadena; Texas Twisters at Alamo Village in Brackettville; Glass Mountain Band with Charlie Bell & Robert Halpern; Tomas Vega y la Ultima Frontera, Wayne R. West and The Realistics; and many more.

Tony’s music took him across the southwestern United States, down to Mexico and even Kingston, Jamaica. He recorded with Tommy DeVito of The Four Seasons in Las Vegas, who also served as a professional mentor. While in Jamaica, he had the unforgettable experience of meeting Ziggy Marley at his father’s studio. Tony opened for Buck Owens at Alamo Village and crossed paths with Willie Nelson during the filming of Barbarosa at Big Bend National Park. He also performed a duet with author and musician, Robert James Waller.

Tony influenced many aspiring artists growing up in Alpine and he was surrounded by lifelong friendships with musicians including Rick Ruiz, Michael Stevens, Charlie Bell, Martin Granado, Juan Brito, Craig Carter, Terry Bullard, Wayne West, Mole Molinar, Steve Terry, Donnie Bason and countless others.

Tony believed music was meant to be shared, enjoyed, and respected in all its forms. Though his final chord has been played, his music lives on-in every riff, every memory, and every place where someone stops to listen. West Texas will forever echo with his sound.

Tony is survived by his daughters, Jessica Lujan and Bella Lujan; and his grandsons, Gabriel Portillo, Jaxen Hill, and Austin Smith, who were the pride and joy of his life.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Maria Lujan; his father, Ramon Lujan; and his brothers, Ramon Lujan and Frank Bustamante.

Services for Tony will take place as follows: Visitation will be at Alpine Memorial Funeral Home Chapel on Friday, December 26, 2025, from 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm. The following day, Saturday, December 27, 2025, the Rosary will take place at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church beginning at 9:30 am. The funeral Mass will follow and will begin at 10:00 am, also at Our Lady of Peace. Burial will take place after the Mass at Holy Angels Cemetery in Alpine, Texas.

Pallbearers for the service will be Gabriel Portillo, Jaxen Hill, Austin Smith, Dusty Hill, Edward Lujan, Anthony Lujan and Michael Barela. Honorary pallbearers are Ramon “Kiki” Lujan, Gilbert Valenzuela, Tomas Valenzuela, Rick Ruiz, Hubert Castillo, Arturo Rivera and Gilbert Chavez.