Donald Winters

Donald Joseph Winters departed on May 8th, 2022 to return to Our Lord in heaven.  He was surrounded by his loving family and friends in his final days and moments.

Donald was born into a large Catholic family to the late Francis Joseph and Ruth Vivian Winters on October 21, 1930.  He was the first child and eldest to 7 brothers and sisters.  He spent his childhood and formative years growing up in the community of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  As part of a blue-collar family during the depression and World War II, he learned the importance of family, commitment and hard work.  While gaining an education in public school, he also worked to help support the family enterprise-caring for his brothers and sisters, delivery assistant and messenger in the family businesses.

In 1950, at the peak of the Korean War, Donald joined the United States Navy.  His decision to join was largely influenced by his Uncle Raymond Winters who served with distinction in combat during World War II.  While in the Navy, Donald served in various capacities as a crew member aboard combat and combat support ships.  He completed his service and was honorably discharged at Key West Naval Station in 1954.

Donald’s parents moved the family to Miami, Florida. Donald’s decision to join the family in Miami was a major turning point in his life- by the time he finished his military service he had married the love of his life, Jimmie Hilda Yeargin, in March 1955 and started his post military career by joining his father at the Miami News. Donald and Jimmie decided to move to Georgia where Jimmie’s family lived. Donald soon became a police officer in Georgia.

The late 50’s were another major turning point for Donald and Jimmie.  During this decade, they began to bless their family with children (Donna, Ronald and Vivian) while planting their roots in the rapidly growing community of Houston.  Donald’s newspaper career began to take shape when he joined his father at the Houston Chronicle in 1962 as an Independent Distributor in the Circulation Department

Donald devoted 24-years to the Houston Chronicle.  He worked in a variety of positions within the Circulation Department until his retirement in 1986.  Donald spent most of his career as a department head in the Circulation Department of the Chronicle.  For two decades, Donald was instrumental in helping the Chronicle adapt during a time when the industry began to experience major transformations.

Retiring at a very early age, Donald and Jimmie devoted their attention to their family and relatives near and far.  At one point, they spent more than a year on the road crossing the U.S. twice and having a temporary residence in Florida. They enjoyed the sunshine while spending time with his mother and siblings. They never could stay away from where it all took root and they both returned to spend the remainder of their time with their children and grandchildren in Houston.

Of all the people he touched, both willing and unwilling, his most proud achievement in life was having his family who supported him.  Donald will always be lovingly remembered by his surviving children-Donna, Ronald, Cheri (daughter-in-law) and Chuck (son-in-law); grandchildren-Byron, Rhonda, Chaz, Megan and Chance; siblings-Ruth, Jane, Michael and David; and his nephews and nieces too numerous to list.

Donald’s service will be held on May 20th, 2022 at 1:00 at the Houston Veterans Administration Cemetery. The lineup time is 12:45 in lane one. The address is 10410 Veterans Memorial Drive, Houston, TX 77038. The phone number is 281/447-8686.