Tony Mcdermid

RANCHO VIEJO, TX. – Tony McDermid, notable industrialist, innovative leader, and successful businessman, entered into eternal rest on Sunday, the 24th of April 2022 in the comfort of his residence in Rancho Viejo, Texas surrounded by his wife and his loving family. He was sixty-five years of age.

Mr. McDermid was born on October 6, 1956 in West Dunbartonshire, Scotland, son of the late Frank McDermid and Mary Nicol McDermid. He attended and graduated from St. Columba’s High School, Clydebank, Scotland and then went on to The University of Glasgow, Scotland where he graduated with honors in 1978 with his degree in mechanical engineering.

During his college years and post-graduation, he worked at the Marathon LeTourneau shipyard. When John Allison, the shipyard general manager, transferred to Marathon’s Port of Brownsville, Texas location, Tony asked John for the opportunity to join him in the U.S. which resulted in his move to Brownsville in 1980. When Marathon LeTourneau decided to leave the Port of Brownsville, John Allison and Tony partnered to form Allison McDermid which purchased the shipyard assets and continued in the offshore oil rig repair business until selling the shipyard to Keppel AmFELS. After the sale, Tony formed CalMart which owned and operated convenience stores in Brownsville and Los Fresnos. After several years of successful operations and the sale of the convenience stores, Tony and his partner purchased Chem-Pruf Door operation in Brownsville in 1998 which made specialized fiberglass doors. Tony served as President and Chief Operating Officer of Chem-Pruf until its sale in 2013. In 2017, Tony took over leadership of Rancho Viejo Resort and Country Club and oversaw all of the major strategic renovations and made the club a financial success.

Tony was a people leader. His philosophy was to hire the best and treat them like family. He was known for his strong leadership, innovative thinking, and aggressive sales objectives. “Always plan ahead and never get comfortable.”

He was a big brother to his sisters but was also the main male figure in their young lives. Tony was an ambitious young man from a blue collar trade background with a huge amount of drive and determination for himself. His intelligence was exhibited through his education and his bravery to leave his home country of Scotland to strive for success.

Tony was so loved by all of his family who will miss him dearly. Born in Scotland, made in Texas, Tony was proud to be an American.

Preceding Tony in death were his parents, Frank and Mary N. McDermid; his sister, Caroline McDermid; and his father-in-law, Sergio Argüelles Gutierrez.

Survivors include his loving and devoted wife of six years, Adriana Argüelles McDermid; his children Cameron McDermid, Mitchell McDermid, Heather McDermid, Porfirio Gutierrez (Karimme), Eduardo Gutierrez, and Gigi Gutierrez; his granddaughters, Karimme Gutierrez and Renata Gutierrez; his sisters Bernadette McDermid, Frances Crabtree (Steve), Margaret Dool (Ronnie), and Maureen O’Donoghue (Robert); his mother-in-law, Magda G. de Argüelles; and his brother-in-law and sisters-in-law Sergio Rene Argüelles (Patricia Montemayor), Gigi Argüelles, Marcela Argüelles (Marion Lawler III), and Liliana Argüelles (Jorge De La Garza).

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at five o’clock in the afternoon on Wednesday, the 27th of April 2022 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 602 E. Elizabeth Street, Brownsville, officiated by Rev. Warren J. Broussard, SJ.

In lieu of floral arrangements and customary remembrances, donations in his name can be made to the Sacred Heart Building Fund by mail to Sacred Heart Building Fund c/o Immaculate Conception Cathedral, 1218 E. Jefferson Street, Brownsville, Texas 78520.

Memories of Tony may be shared at www.darlingmouser.com.

Personalized funeral arrangements directed by Steven R. Hieu Bailey and Staff have been entrusted to the care of Darling-Mouser Funeral Home at 945 Palm Boulevard in Brownsville, Texas 78520, (956) 546-7111.