Edinburg - It is with great sadness, that the family of Mark Harold Winkel announces his unexpected passing on July 7, 2018 at the early age of 67 years in Los Angeles California.

Mark was born in Cleveland Ohio on June 29th, 1951. He received his Ph.D. from Oklahoma State University. He spent the past 36 years residing in Edinburg Texas, where he was a Psychology Professor at Pan American University, UT- Pan American and University of Texas RGV from which he recently retired in May.

In addition to Mark's selfless devotion to his students and teaching, he had a profound passion for his love of music. Mark was a prolific musician and played numerous instruments including, the organ, piano, guitar and trombone. On the weekends, Mark spent most of his time playing with several local bands as well as landscaping and tending to his backyard oasis.

Mark will fondly be remembered by his loving wife, Lena Adams-Winkel of 30 years and his dearest daughter Taylor Winkel. His infinite generosity and love will also be remembered by his sister, Darlane Sana, brother-in-law Tariq Sana, sister-in-law Peggy Wood, mother and father-in-law Dorothy and Norris Adams, nieces and nephews, Shervia Sana, Jebrawn Sana, Kameron Wood and Portland Wood. His father, Harold Albert Winkel and mother Elaine Ruth Winkel preceded Mark in death. He will also be deeply missed and remembered by his dearest friends and colleagues.

A funeral service in memory of Mark will be held on Thursday, July 19, 2018 at 11:00 am at the St. Paul Lutheran Church, 300 Pecan Blvd. McAllen, TX 78501. A reception at the church will be held after the service.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Monitor on Jul. 15, 2018.

Memories and Condolences
for Mark Winkel

11 Entries

Gary Montgomery

July 20, 2018

Lena and Taylor -- I am much saddened by Mark's untimely death. I counted Mark as a good friend and colleague. I always respected him and felt a special kinship with him because he was conscientious, dedicated and loyal. I appreciated that he was a man of faith, and that he had good judgement with interpersonal and bureaucratic relations. I know he had great plans for retirement, and we are all sad that those plans were cut short. May God be with you.

Cliff Novak

July 18, 2018

Dear Lena and Taylor,
I'm devastated by Mark's passing. Mark was my most special best friend and I loved his parents as my own. I looked at him as my other brother. We grew up together since elementary school, stayed very close through high school, college and our married lives when our kids were young. I was so proud to be his best man and so touched by you and Mark having my four year old son, Nick, be the ring bearer.We shared a passion for many things that allowed us to connect in so many ways. Time and distance did not separate that special bond we had. And as we aged we both shared the joy,comfort and warmth of family and our faith.I admired him for his non wavering unending love of Taylor and you Lena.Sue and I have lost our very very special friend and their is a sad empty void in my life. I know Marks faith was so strong and he is of loveingly now reunited with his parents.It is our hearts that are broken and hurting. I will keep those memories of Mark very close as I have over the years to keep him alive in my heart.I pray for you and Taylor in the coming days, weeks and years ahead.God Bless you both and my very best Friend..... Mark.
Your loyal Friend,
Cliff Novak

jay scheiman

July 17, 2018

well I am stunned and sad , I got the news today that mark is dead. I talked to him not long ago and we were kindred souls that shared a lot of the same fascinations , he was a music man , a car buff a tinkerer of all things , I bought my first jet boat from mark , he bought several different cars and an rv from me , my kind of guy,the valley needs more mark winkels, I know that his family will miss his easy going charm rip brother sincerely jay scheiman

joe chance

July 17, 2018

Lena: Carolyn and I wish to convey our deepest sympathy to you and your family on the passing of Mark. He was a fine man and will be missed by all.
Carolyn and Joe Chance

July 16, 2018

Brian Robertson

July 16, 2018

Woke up this morning to find someone very special had sent me a message that stunned me. Mark Winkel was in my band, Los Blues Guys, for ages back in South Texas/Rio Grande Valley, and he was a great keyboard player. The group had been made up of 5 or 6 members.
When I got the message and as the fog cleared a bit one great memory came front and center. Hope you will allow me/ indulge me so I can share it. We were playing in McAllen and doing Bob Dylan's Like a Rolling Stone. Mark's keyboard was giving a rollingly cool Wurlitzer Organ sound while our band, Los Blues Guys, was playing and I was singing.

After the first verse the second started and Mark, on purpose or by accident, switched the keyboard sound perhaps to hit PIANO and missed. So, for the rest of the long song, out came the crisp sound of a harpsichord. Mark played it through to the end and when the song finished and people applauded, I turned from the mic and leaned over toward where Mark was sitting. I said, "Mark, If it's not baroque, don't fix it."

RIP, Mr. Mark Winkel. Thanks for many nights of good music!.My thoughts are with his family. He was quite a guy.

Jackie Fanning-Amaro

July 16, 2018

Marc, I have so many fond memories of you! You were one of my dads closest friends and always made my sisters and I laugh hysterically. You will be sorely missed by many. Rest In Peace. My deepest condolences to all family and friends.

Thomas Pearson

July 15, 2018

Mark was a colleague, a collaborator, a mentor -- but most of all, a friend. His profound interest in people, his infinite curiosity about the world, his slow chuckle and his hearty laugh, his generosity with his time and his wisdom, his great kindness; all these made our world feel a safer, more comfortable place. He openly invited us in to share his life, and his life was the kind we all wanted to share. I miss you, Mark, now and always.

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