Paul Winkler

1926 - 2015

Paul Winkler passed away Wednesday, June 3, 2015, in Mesquite. Service: 3 p.m. Saturday at Pleasant Ridge Church of Christ in Arlington. Interment: Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery. Visitation: Family will receive friends 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Restland Funeral Home. Memorials: In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Arms of Hope, 21300 State Highway 16 N., Medina, Texas 78055, armsofhope.org. Born Jan. 21, 1926, in Houston, Paul, "Daddy" "Papa," was a great man of God, family man, businessman and sports fan. He graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in Port Arthur in 1944. He then entered the U.S. Army, serving in the Air Branch as a tail gunner in Europe from 1944 to 1946. After completing his military service, he returned to Lamar Junior College, playing basketball for two years. He transferred to Colorado A&M, graduating with a degree in economics in 1950. He met Mary Lou in college and they married in Denver on Nov. 3, 1950. He convinced his bride to leave Colorado for Texas. He worked at Texaco, Champlin and General Dynamics. Then at the age of 40, he began his insurance agency with State Farm (1966). He achieved several awards, including Rookie of the Year. During his successful business years he served the Glen Garden/Pleasant Ridge Church of Christ as an elder and later served as elder to Highland Church of Christ. He was instrumental in bringing several people to Christ, and blessed all he knew with his genuine love of God and others. His generosity was evidenced by his financial support of his various churches. He also gave major gifts to Arms of Hope (both Medina and Boles campuses), as well as Oklahoma Christian University. Though Alzheimer's tried hard to steal his mind, he was able to continue to show his love for his family, God and even the Rangers and TCU to the very end. He will be missed, but his legacy will live on. He was predeceased by parents, Ruby and Paul Winkler Sr.; brother, Wendell Winkler. Survivors: Wife of 64 years, Mary Lou Winkler; daughter, Mary Ann Lowry; daughter, Donna Smith and husband, Phil; son, Tom Winkler and wife, Sharon; grandchildren, Brent Lowry, Ross Lowry, Ryan Smith, Jenna Gibson, Kristina Smith, Becca Winkler, Thomas Winkler; and great-grandchildren, Latham and Lily, and Maisy and Adalynn.