Robert Earl Winnard
Here we are, once again, to say goodbye. Dad didn’t want a funeral or memorial service. He didn’t like attending them and wasn’t fond of the “fire and brimstone” doctrine with which he was raised. He had a personal, private relationship with God. We did however find his baptism certificate in his belongings. One of the few papers he kept.
Dad was born in 1935 to Harlan Arthur and Mozelle Kirkham Winnard. He and his sister Lou were the only 2 of 7 born in a hospital. A week or so ago, I asked him about where he was born and all he said “I think I was born in a hospital.” I was puzzled because Grandma Winnard had told me she had only ever been in a hospital to have a couple of her children and I assumed two of the younger ones. Wrong!
Dad played basketball in high school but Blanchard didn’t have a football team so that was out. He loved to watch basketball and football. He watched The Young and the Restless, The Bold and Beautiful, Gunsmoke and The Andy Griffith Show during the week. Commercials required fast action with the “last” button so he could get some History Channel or Antique show action.
He worked for over 30 years at Dolese Brothers. He had many jobs including mechanic, mixer driver and truck driver. He enjoyed working on and trading cars.
He loved spending time with his kids, grandkids and great grandkids. He lived with his sister Lou until last October when he moved in with me and my husband. He lived was us until he passed on July 22, 2017 with complications from pneumonia.
He lost his wife Shirley to cancer in 2014, my mom Barbara in 2016, a stepson Terry York on July 11, 2017 and his oldest sister Betty, one year ago.
In addition to those mentioned, Dad was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, a stepson Randy York, and his 2nd wife Billie.
He is survived by his children, Roberta Clark and husband Mark of Plano, Texas, Darla Lyle and husband Mark of Port St. Joe, Florida, Eddie Winnard and wife Sharon of Apache, OK, Bobbie Marcin and husband Luke of Edmond, OK, and stepdaughter Cheryl Lund of El Reno. Grandchildren, Michael Howard and wife Tiffany of Apache, OK, Lindsay Lyle of Port St. Joe, FL, Russell McDaniel and wife Amanda of Edmond, OK, Robert Winnard of Apache, Erika Hunt and husband Tim of Midwest City, Charles Winnard of Apache, OK, Elizabeth Winnard of Apache, OK, Gracelynn, Peyton and Benjamin Marcin, and Ian and Tanisha Lund of OKC. He has at least (in case my count is off) 15 great grandchildren.
He is also survived by siblings Lou Ellen McGaha of Dibble, Rita Dennis and her husband Donnie of Hinton, Dale Winnard and his wife Phyllis Rich of Blanchard, Cheryl Montoney of Spring Valley, OH, and Linda Milburn and her husband Ken of Broken Arrow.
Great Grandchildren:
- Zachary and Aerrick Howard, Kaitly and Areanna Thomas
- Payton Rushing, Kadence and Taytum Thomas
- Addison and Kyndle Winnard, Jesse and Bella Hunt, Nathaniel, Alexa, Amara and Liam McDaniel
Uncle Don McGaha passed several years ago so this picture of him and Dad is more special.
The video plays to the right (or below on mobile) but we have a PDF version as well.
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