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IN LOVING MEMORY OF
John "Jack"
Winter
May 11, 1934 – November 5, 2016
Obituary
John "Jack" Winter, 82, passed away in his home Saturday, November 5, 2016. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Fern; four children, Michelle (Stuart) Pollock, Robin (Michael) Smith, Christine Morales, and John Winter (Vickie Mann); eleven grandchildren, Robin (Eric) Grass, Christopher (Mindy) Smith, Jennifer (Jacob) McAnally, Amanda Smith, Daniel Pollock, Julian Morales, Addison Winter, Jensen Morales, Evan Winter, Kieran Morales, and Sebastian Morales; and a great-grandchild on the way, Hayley Shay McAnally. Jack was preceded in death by his mother, Margaret Messenger; his father, John Parris; and his step-father, Russell Winter.
As an only child, Jack always desired a large, loving family, and that's exactly what he created for himself, not just among those related by blood, but those acquired through marriage and through friendship. He always said that he knew he would not have a lot of money, so he filled his house with love. He "adopted" countless family members over the years, making them feel special from the moment he met them and always willing to help them in any way. Because of this, many people beyond his four children called him "dad". All of his friends and family knew that they could always count on him if they were in a bind.
Jack enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1956. From the start, he gave his all to every assignment and made those around him better for having served with him. From his grueling and hazardous work as a firefighter, to his life-changing tour in Vietnam, to his work in the photography lab, to his final assignment in Okinawa, if there was a better, more efficient, or more respectful way of doing things, he would find it and execute, even if it ruffled some feathers sometimes. Jack retired as a Senior Master Sergeant from the U.S. Air Force after 26 years of service.
For many years, Jack was active as a 4
th
degree member of the Catholic service organization, the Knights of Columbus. After his time in the Air Force, Jack spent many years selling life insurance for NCOA (Non-Commissioned Officers Association) and volunteering at the hospital. In recent years, he was actively involved in the Virginia Billiards Association and the American Poolplayers Association. In every role and every setting, he made fast friends and lasting positive impressions. Many also remember him as their favorite Santa Claus, yet another job he took seriously and as an opportunity to make people young and old feel special.
Jack's diagnosis with terminal cancer came just a couple of weeks before his passing. With sensitive and expert assistance from the Gentiva hospice nurses and aides, his family was fortunate to be able to tend to him during that time and express their love for him in his final days. For years he had said that this big, wonderful family was all his fault! Up to his last moments, he was surrounded by the love of that large family he had always wished for and had created for himself, allowing him to exit this world at peace.
A memorial service will be held at 3:00pm , Friday, November 11, 2016 at Bethel Manor Chapel, 1794 1 st Street, Hampton. Guests must enter Bethel Manor via Big Bethel Road. There is no access from Magruder Blvd. A celebration of Jack's life will be held immediately after the service at Event Central, 9912 Hosier Street, Newport News.
A memorial service will be held at 3:00pm , Friday, November 11, 2016 at Bethel Manor Chapel, 1794 1 st Street, Hampton. Guests must enter Bethel Manor via Big Bethel Road. There is no access from Magruder Blvd. A celebration of Jack's life will be held immediately after the service at Event Central, 9912 Hosier Street, Newport News.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Jack's name to either the Animal Aid Society (
animalaid-va.org
) or the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (
lls.org
).
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of John "Jack" Winter, please visit our flower store.
Services
Memorial Service
November
11
Bethel Manor Chapel
Starts at 3:00 pm
John "Jack" Winter's Guestbook
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