Honoring Tony Wilson : Support His Sons

On September 15, 2026, my life changed forever.

I lost my father, Antonio Rashad Wilson Sr., known by most as Tony, unexpectedly at the age of 38. There are still moments when I struggle to understand that I will never get another phone call, conversation, laugh, hug, or piece of advice from my dad.

Trying to put into words who my father was is almost impossible because he meant so many different things to so many people.

To me, he was Dad.

To others, he was a son, brother, uncle, coach, mentor, friend, teammate, and role model. He was the kind of person who gave his time freely and genuinely cared about seeing other people succeed.

My dad was a proud 2006 graduate of Mainland High School. He went on to attend the University of Georgia, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in 2009 and was a member of the Georgia Bulldogs football team. He continued his education at Bethune-Cookman University, where he earned his master’s degree in 2012.

But some of my dad’s greatest accomplishments weren’t found on a diploma, track or a football field.

For nearly two decades, my dad dedicated himself to coaching and mentoring young athletes through Daytona Beach Pop Warner. He also served as the Head Track Coach for the Daytona Express Track Team.

Coaching was more than something my dad did. It was part of who he was.

He spent countless hours on fields and tracks, often giving his time without expecting anything in return. He encouraged young athletes, pushed them to believe in themselves, celebrated their accomplishments, and helped guide them through challenges.

My dad understood that being a coach meant having the opportunity to influence a young person’s life.

And he took that responsibility seriously.

The same man who spent years helping other people’s children chase their dreams was also a father who loved his own children deeply.

I am currently continuing my education and working toward my bachelor’s and master’s degrees. My little brother, Tyree, is only eight years old.

Losing our dad means that we are now facing a future we never imagined having to navigate without him.

And unfortunately, his passing also comes with financial responsibilities that we were not prepared for.

We are creating this fundraiser to help with the ongoing needs of my brother and me as we move forward.

The funds raised will help with:

My educational expenses as I continue pursuing my bachelor’s and master’s degrees

Tyree’s care and everyday needs

My dad spent almost 20 years investing in young people.

He believed in them.

He showed up for them.

He coached them.

He encouraged them.

He helped them believe that they could accomplish more than they thought possible.

Now, I am asking the same community that my dad gave so much of himself to help us.

If you knew my dad, you know that he would probably have a hard time accepting people doing something like this for him. He was always the one willing to help someone else.

So today, I’m asking you to help me and my little brother carry the weight that he left behind.

If you are able to donate, thank you.

If you are unable to donate but can share this fundraiser, thank you.

If all you can do is pray for my family, send a message, tell a story about my dad, or simply keep us in your thoughts, thank you.

Every contribution, every share, every prayer, and every kind word means more to us than I can put into words.

My dad’s legacy isn’t just the degrees he earned, the football games he played, his championship titles or the teams he coached.

His legacy is in the people he touched.

It is in the athletes who still remember Coach Tony.

It is in the young people he encouraged.

It is in his family.

And it is in me and my little brother.

My dad spent nearly two decades helping other young people chase their dreams.

Now, I want to make sure my brother and I can continue chasing ours.

Antonio Rashad Wilson Sr.

October 11, 1987 – September 15, 2026

Forever my Dad.

Forever a Bulldog.

Forever a Coach.

Forever Loved.