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<\/a><\/p>\nStories of Honor is a Fort Worth Report weekly series spotlighting 12 Tarrant County veterans<\/a> who are serving beyond the uniform.<\/p>\n We also are highlighting nonprofits<\/a> recommended by the veterans.<\/p>\n In November, the veterans will gather for a luncheon where the Report will honor their service at the National Medal of Honor Museum in Arlington.<\/p>\n \u201cThey were the best, the baddest, and my chance of getting to go overseas and serve my country the way I wanted,\u201d Wilson said.\u00a0<\/p>\n By 2008, he headed to boot camp while his friends packed for college. He chose a different path, one he believed was his duty.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWe were at war at the time and I felt like I needed to step up and do my part,\u201d Wilson said.\u00a0<\/p>\n That path would take him from the deserts of Afghanistan to leading a Fort Worth nonprofit.<\/p>\n Today, Wilson is the executive director of DRC Solutions, a services agency for the homeless. His approach reflects a belief instilled in the Marines: Never leave anyone behind.<\/p>\n He trained as an artillery cannoneer, learning to fire M777 howitzers before deploying in 2010 to Helmand Province, Afghanistan. For seven months, his unit supported troops in the Musa Qala and Nawa districts, enduring punishing heat and the constant threat of improvised explosive devices.\u00a0<\/p>\n Despite the dangers, his unit avoided casualties, for which Wilson remains grateful. After a second deployment through Japan, South Korea and Thailand, he returned home in 2012. He struggled adjusting to civilian life.\u00a0<\/p>\n Crowded places rattled him.\u00a0<\/p>\n Anxiety clouded his focus.\u00a0<\/p>\n Staying on task felt nearly impossible.\u00a0<\/p>\n He didn\u2019t start feeling comfortable going to places until four or five years ago.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re kind of always on edge overseas,\u201d Wilson said. \u201cYou come back and have to relearn that not everything\u2019s about to be life or death.\u201d<\/p>\n Family helped him through. His wife, Erica, enrolled him in college, giving him direction. The couple had exchanged letters during his deployments, and she knew how much structure and support mattered.<\/p>\n \u201cI remember that first big hug and setting my eyes on him,\u201d Erica said. \u201cIt was good knowing he\u2019s back and safe.\u201d<\/p>\n Wilson also leaned on fellow Marine David Campos. The two met in 2009 and naturally bonded. They were in the same unit, both from Texas, and made it a point to see each other at least twice a year. Both families have grown close.\u00a0<\/p>\n Tony Wilson<\/p>\n Age: <\/strong>35<\/p>\n Military service: <\/strong>U.S. Marine Corps<\/p>\n Occupation: <\/strong>Executive director of DRC Solutions<\/p>\n Education: <\/strong>Bachelor\u2019s and master\u2019s degrees in social work from Texas Christian University\u00a0<\/p>\n Family: <\/strong>Married to Erica Wilson. They have one son, 2-year-old Carter.\u00a0<\/p>\n Most important lesson learned in the military<\/strong>: \u201cYou can accomplish very little alone. It takes good support and teamwork to really make a difference.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re so far away from home at 19, you want anything that reminds you of home,\u201d Campos said. \u201cWe both loved watching sports, liked the same music, and we gravitated toward each other.\u201d<\/p>\n Wilson was always there for Campos. Now Campos watches him pour that same passion into helping veterans and families in need.\u00a0<\/p>\n Wilson\u2019s mission sharpened when he learned that a fellow Marine he once served with had fallen into homelessness. Wilson knew he had to serve others.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cIn my mind, in our country, it\u2019s ridiculous to allow anyone to sleep on the streets,\u201d Wilson said. \u201cWe\u2019re a wealthy country. Making sure that people have a place to sleep needs to be a priority.\u201d<\/p>\n He earned both a bachelor\u2019s and master\u2019s in social work from Texas Christian University and joined DRC Solutions, which provides outreach, housing and case management to those experiencing homelessness.<\/p>\n Wilson started as a navigator, then became director of mobile outreach and later chief operating officer.\u00a0<\/p>\n In January, he stepped into the role of executive director.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cPeople are vulnerable at different times,\u201d Wilson said. \u201cWe all have a responsibility to help people who are down because those are our brothers, sisters, and neighbors.\u201d<\/p>\n Orlando Torres is a reporting fellow for the Fort Worth Report.<\/p>\n At the Fort Worth Report, news decisions are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here<\/a>.<\/p>\n \n\tRelated\n<\/p>\n Fort Worth Report is certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative<\/a> for adhering to standards for ethical journalism.<\/p>\n Republish This Story<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Goss-SOHWilson-01-1.jpg\")
Tony Wilson in his office at DRC Solutions on Aug. 12, 2025, in southeast Fort Worth. (Mary Abby Goss | Fort Worth Report)<\/p>\n
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