George E. Winters Jr.

George E. Winters Jr. of Lake Quivera died on April 9, 2009. He was born December 23, 1923, to Marie Butler and George E. Winters in Greensburg, Kan. They moved in 1925, to Kansas City, Kan., where he attended St. Peter's grade school, Ward High School (class of '41) and Wyandotte County Junior College. After serving in the Army Air Force during WW II, he finished his degree at junior college. He received his B.A. in economics and M.A. in sociology at UMKC. He did postgraduate work at the University of Kansas and the University of Chicago. While in Lawrence attending the university, he worked as a homeschool counselor for the Lawrence schools and probation officer for juveniles for the probate court. He returned to Kansas City, Kan., in 1954, and became a stock broker for the local firm H.O. Peet and Co. He became a partner of the firm in 1968 and also an officer of its financial advisory department, Financial Counselors. In 1960, George opened the first New York Stock Exchange office in Kansas City, Kan., in the Brotherhood Bldg. He also opened a full-service brokerage office in Lawrence, Kan., in 1968. H.O. Peet was purchased by Kidder Peabody in 1978. It was then bought by General Electric, who sold it to Payne Weber, who in turn sold it to its present company, UBS. Financial Counselors meantime was purchased by its officers in 1999; today it is a part of Midwest Trust. George maintained an office in the Brotherhood Bldg. during these transitions until his retirement December 31, 2007. He is a member of the Lake Quivera County Club, KU Chancellors Club, former member of The Terrance Club, Milburn Country Club, Victory Hills Country Club, Carriage Club, KCK Optimist Club, KU Geological Survey Board, Urban Renewal, and other social and civic organizations. George preferred helping others on a one-to-one basis with advice when asked, verbal or written recommendations for employment or financial guidance or help. He was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by a devoted wife and best friend of 60 happy years, Norma Lee Winters; his beloved children and granddaughter, Kathy Steineger, George E. Winters III, and Kisha Steineger; his sisters Jo Anne Wheat (A.V. Skip) of Piper, Virginia Rowland of Chicago; brother Art Winters (Dee) of Overland Park, and sister-in-law Elaine Street of Washington D.C.; also many nieces and nephews. George always wanted to attend his own funeral so he could say thank you to all who had given him such a wonderful life. He held an appreciation party at Lake Quivera in 2008 for all his friends. Instead of a formal funeral service, when you attend the church of your choice or however you observe the Sabbath, please say a prayer for him and remember happy times you have shared. In the hope of helping someone else, George has donated his body to the University of Kansas Medical School. He will then be cremated. If you care to make a donation in his name, please give to your favorite charity or the Lake Quivera Garden Club. Aloha my friends - G.E.W. Condolences may be expressed by visiting www.marybutlermeyers.com