Mr. Jerry A. Winter's Obituary
Jerry A. Winter
St. Clair
Jerry A. Winter, 78, passed away peacefully on May 24, 2012 at Port Huron Hospital with his beloved wife, Connie, at his side.
Jerry was born August 2, 1933 in Capac to the late Clarence and Evelyn (Draper) Winter. He grew up on the family farm, was a proud football player for the Capac Chiefs, and graduated from Capac High School in 1951. Following graduation, Jerry had an opportunity to play football for the Michigan State Spartans, but family commitments to the farm ended his dreams of playing on the college gridiron.
On June 4, 1954, Jerry married the love of his life, Constance Smith, in Utica. Two weeks following their honeymoon, Jerry was drafted into the United States Army and proudly served his country in the Korean conflict. After completing his training at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri, he was deployed to Germany where he finished his two year stint; receiving an honorable discharged in May 1956.
Back on U.S. soil, Jerry not only began a family; he also began his lifelong career at Church’s Lumber Company – getting hired as a yardman at the Utica lumberyard. He worked his way up to become Assistant Manager of the Washington Church’s Lumberyard and by 1972 was named the Manager of the new store in St. Clair. Within a year, Jerry and his family moved to St. Clair; and soon he became a staple in the community. Jerry retired from Church’s in 1996 as one of the Company’s most prestigious salesmen.
Although Jerry coached Little League and was a volunteer firefighter in Washington, his dedication and devotion to kids skyrocketed when he came to St. Clair. He coached Babe Ruth League baseball for a handful of summers– providing never-ending memories for a countless number of St. Clair players. He made their games fun; and the victory celebrations at his home even better. A few of those players that Jerry had coached eventually had children of their own; some of which played for the 2011 State Champion St. Clair Saints baseball team. During last year’s historic season, Jerry was very proud to mention the fact that he mentored some of the player’s dads.
Jerry also had a huge impact on St. Clair High School sports after moving to town. He championed the drive to raise money for Saints’ sports when the millage failed in the late 70’s. For many years, Jerry was a proud member of the ‘chain gang’ that roamed the sidelines during Saints’ home football games. In an effort to get back on the field with the kids he loved, Jerry donned the uniforms of a high school baseball umpire and football referee; both of which he gave his all until diabetes forced him to the sidelines for the final time.
When Jerry wasn’t involved in high school sports, he was an active member of the St. Clair Lions Club. He also enjoyed snowmobiling with the Sno-Boozers snowmobile club and loved the sport of hunting – especially with his best friend Brandy.
To relax, Jerry enjoyed spending time “up north”; kicked back at the family’s Jose Lake cabin that he built with his own hands. Not only did he love cooking his famous pancakes that were chuck-full of hand-picked blueberries; he also spent countless summers teaching his kids, grandkids, and their friends the art of water skiing. His patience for mentoring children was second-to-none. Upon his retirement, Jerry and Connie left St. Clair and resided in their ‘heaven along the lake’; until health issues brought him back to the area last fall.
Jerry was a remarkably generous man that touched many lives in so many ways. He is survived by his wife of nearly 58 years, Connie; son Mark (Carol) Winter; daughters Vicki (Tom) Watson and Lori Dortman. Jerry is also survived by “Papa’s kids”: Tom Watson II (fiancée Meghan Keenan), Shelby (Brett) McGovern, Ashley (Anthony) Fiscelli, Chelsea Winter (fiancé Craig Kerr), Brannan Dortman, JordynDemmons and Kendall Demmons; and great-grandchild Gavin McGovern. Jerry’s ‘little’ sister, Sally Knight of Plano, Texas, also survives him.
He was preceded in death by his parents Clarence and Evelyn; his in-laws Orville and Frances Smith; and his brother Dennis Winter.
Visitation will be held from 2pm to 9pm on Monday May 28, 2012 at Young Funeral Home in China Township. Funeral services will be held at 11am May 29th at the First United Methodist Church in St. Clair; with visitation beginning at 10am until the time of the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial may be made to the St. Clair Little League; St. Clair Lions Club; or the St. Clair First United Methodist Church.
What’s your fondest memory of Jerry?
What’s a lesson you learned from Jerry?
Share a story where Jerry's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Jerry you’ll never forget.
How did Jerry make you smile?