COL. JAMES T. WINKLER

1924 - 2011

James T. Winkler (USAF Ret.), 86, of Monkey Island, Oklahoma, passed away May 10, 2011. Jim was born August 9, 1924, in Chanute, Kansas, the son of Claude J. and Dorothy Moon Winkler.

He was a career United States Air Force officer, serving as a fighter pilot in World War II and Korea, where he flew the P-38 Lightning, P-39 Cobra, P-51 Mustang, F-80 Shooting Star, F-94 Super Lightning and the F-86 Sabre jet. Jim flew as fighter escort for the reconnaissance mission the day before the bomb was dropped at Nagasaki, Japan. He flew many other fighter aircraft later in his career, including the F-100 Super Sabre and F-102 Delta Wing. Jim was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with One Oak Leaf Cluster, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, the Air Medal with Six Oak Leaf Clusters, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Theater Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, Army and Air Force World War II Occupation Medal, the Philippine Liberation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and the Korean Service Medal. He maintained his pilot's license well into his 80's, owning, restoring and flying a variety of private planes.

Jim first retired to Yuma, Arizona, where he worked as a pilot for Bruce Church, Inc. He later moved to Lowell, Arkansas, where he worked for Pel-Freez. He enjoyed raising rabbits and guinea pigs.

Jim had a long history on Jayhawker Cove which is part of Monkey Island on Grand Lake, Oklahoma. His family has owned property on Grand Lake since the 1940's.

Jim was preceded in death by his third wife, Betty, and brothers John Moon Winkler, Joseph Claude Winkler and William Earl Winkler.

Survivors include his son, James T. Volker, two daughters, Kathleen Winkler and Kristine (W.J.) Wheaton (whose mother was the former Diane Noonan of Yuma), five grandchildren, Victoria Volker, Benjamin Volker, Spencer Shackelford, Kimberly (Wheaton) Gardner, Buck Wheaton and four great-grandchildren, Kendall Wheaton, Caleb Wheaton, Brayden Gardner and Kara Diane Gardner. He is also survived by a sister, Mary Nell Winkler.

There will be no services. Memorials may be made to a charity of your choice.
Arrangements handled by Cullen Funeral Home, Raymond, MO.