Forrest Stephen Winebarger

Forrest Steve Winebarger, Brigadier General retired, age 86, late of Corpus Christi, Texas, passed away on November 9, 2024 following a heart attack. He was born in Sullivan County, Tennessee on July 11, 1938 to Marvin and Charmie Winebarger. He attended Vermont Methodist Church during his childhood, attended Cedar Grove Elementary School, graduated from Ketron High School in 1956, attended Berea College, Kentucky, and graduated from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, in 1962 with a degree in chemical engineering.

Following his graduation, he was commissioned into the United States Air Force and served as a fighter pilot , beginning in the Vietnam War. He was recognized for successfully flying over 100 combat missions there in the F-105 and A7D aircraft. He was presented the Silver Star in 1967 in for leading an attack on the Paul Doumer Bridge in Hanoi. Additional awards include the Distingushed Flying Cross (first oak leaf cluster). He served as commander of the Tactical Air Command over five U. S. bases. One of many accomplishments was in safely deploying all the planes from Homestead Air Base, Florida prior to Hurricane Andrew. He fully enjoyed flying those fighter jets with the F-16 being his favorite. His hobbies included hunting, fishing, and restoring antique cars and other vehicles.

Steve, as he was called in his early years and later "Trees", his pilot co-sign, was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Jackie, his first wife of almost fifty years, Betty Bryant Winebarger of Marshall, N. C., and brother-in-law Chester David Tester

Survivors include second wife Joyce Devere, son Dirk Winebarger and wife Nancy, grandsons Stephen and Austin Winebarger, brothers Charles Winebarger and wife Mary, George Winebarger and wife Anne, Onnie Winebarger and wife Laverne, and sister Patricia Winebarger Tester, and several cousins, nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be conducted at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. Memorials may be sent to the Vermont Methodist Church Cemetery fund, Kingsport, Tennessee.