Keith Winters

Keith Winters was born on March 22, 1947 to Martha (Cheesman) Winters and Ralph Winters in Centerville, Indiana. He was the youngest of the family - his twin sister, Karen, died shortly after birth, and the rest of his siblings were Gerald (Jerry), Nancy Purcell, Sheila Shultz, and Julia Nuss. After playing all the sports in high school, and surviving countless unsupervised chemistry experiments, Keith started expanding his world at the US Naval Academy, graduating in 1969. He married Pamela Thompson, of Richmond, Indiana, on graduation day, and his Navy career started with flight school and training at a rapid succession of Naval bases - Pensacola (FL), Meridian (MS), back to Pensacola, back to Meridian, Beeville (TX), Jacksonville (FL), Bremerton (WA), and Orange Park (FL). Along the way two children joined the journey: Chris in 1970 and Kim in 1971.

After earning his wings he was stationed on aircraft carriers (USS Saratoga, USS Enterprise, and USS Nimitz) where he flew A-7 jets on missions around the world with squadrons VA-37 and VA-86. Along the way Keith also earned a MS in Aeronautical Engineering at Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California, working on analyzing airflow with computers as big as a room. He and Pam also had some epic trips around Europe, making new friends everywhere they went.

Moving to Alexandria, Virginia saw a new chapter - putting those engineering degrees to work at the Inspector General's office and, later, at Naval Air Systems Command doing flight clearances and work around the Joint Strike Fighter project. He retired in 2001 and, with his wife Jean, moved to Inverness close to his sisters Sheila and Nancy. Jean and Keith went on multiple cruises in the Caribbean, and spent many hours on the golf course and among friends. Their Shih Tzu dogs were never far from their sides, accompanying them to church, restaurants, and even rounds of golf.

Keith, 78, passed away peacefully on May 5 at VITAS Hospice Center in Lecanto, Florida. He is survived by his sister, Nancy Purcell, his son Chris, and his granddaughter Ella. He was predeceased by his parents, his first wife, Pamela, his second wife, Jean, his brother Jerry, sisters Julia Nuss and Sheila Shultz, and his daughter Kim.

Family visitation will be Friday, May 23 from 10:00 to 10:30 at Floral City Methodist Church, followed by a service from 10:30 to 11:30 at the church and a service at 12:30 at Bushnell National Cemetery where he'll be laid to rest with his wife, Jean.

If you have stories or photos to share of Keith's military service please share at Veterans Legacy Memorial. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Keith's name to your local animal shelter.