Jerry Lee Winter was born January 5, 1935, in rural Kit Carson County, Colorado, just southwest of Kanorado, Kansas, to Wayne and Sylvia (Armitage) Winter. Jerry lived his entire life in the Kanorado area where he attended school and graduated with the class of 1953.
On July 14, 1953, he married Melba Coons. They lived on a farm southeast of Kanorado and eventually moved their house to a half mile south of Kanorado where they raised their three sons. Jerry and Melba milked cows for a few years, farmed and Jerry began aerial spraying with his father. He continued to run Winter Flying Service after his father retired and was an aerial spray pilot for over 45 years. Jerry enjoyed building things and incorporated that with his passion of aviation when he built a snowplane utilizing an aircraft engine. He later built a flat bottom boat,once again using an aircraft engine.
While in high school he participated in football, basketball and baseball and later played town team basketball and summer softball. He spoke often of these experiences. Jerry and Melba were proud supporters of their children and grandchildren and spent many hours and miles following their activities.
He was proceeded in death by wife Melba (Coons) Winter in October of 2021, his parents A. Wayne Winter and Sylvia (Armitage) Reynolds, brother Don (Joyce) Winter. He is survived by sons Gary (Deb) Winter of Kanorado; Larry (Janet) Winter of Fairbury, NE; Terry Winter of Parker, CO. Six grandchildren: Sean (Shawndra) of Colorado Springs, CO; Blake (Molly) of Wheat Ridge, CO; Jonathan (Emily) of Fairbury, NE; Aubrea (Beto) of Goodland, KS; Lane (Britney) of Castle Rock, CO; Shane (Carly) of Fairbury, NE. Twelve great-grandchildren also survive.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, August 12, 2022 at 10 AM MT at Koons-Russell Funeral Home in Goodland. Burial will follow in the Goodland Cemetery.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, August 11, 2022, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM MT at Koons-Russell Funeral Home.
Memorial contributions may be designated to the Kanorado Senior Citizen’s Center and may be left at the services or mailed to Koons-Russell Funeral Home, 211 N. Main Ave., Goodland, KS 67735.
Online condolences for the family may be left at www.koonsrussellfuneralhome.com.
Services have been entrusted to Koons-Russell Funeral Home in Goodland.