Michael Winters

Michael Winters, age 44 passed away on Friday, December 30, 2016. He was born to Mike Winters and Debbie Crites in Alice, Texas on December 13, 1972. He is survived by his wife, Kila Winters, and his children; Colton, Katie, and Karlie and stepsons Christian, Zach and Preston Anderson. He is also survived by his parents Mike (Aurora) Winters and Debbie (John) Crites and brothers Lonnie (Rhonda) Brown and Todd (Darla) Winters and nephews Cooper and Callun Brown and Wade and Walker Winters and grandson Brooks Anderson. Michael is preceded in death by paternal grandmother Myrtle Bigley and great grandparents Authur and Ruth Winters and maternal grandparents, Lea Klekar and Allen Sturtz. Michael graduated from Odem High School in 1991. He attended South West Texas Junior College in Uvalde, TX and was a member of the SWTJC Rodeo Team from 1991 to 1993. He graduated from SWTJC in 1993 with an associate's degree in Farm and Ranch Management. Michael worked at Flint Hills Refinery as a Process Manager for 16 years. Michael was a member of the Texas Youth Rodeo Association from 1985 to 1991. As a member of TYRA, he was in the Senior Tiedown Champion in 1988. He was awarded the Johnny Powell Sportsmanship Award in 1991. He also won the Laura Woodman Scholarship in 1991. Michael played football in Odem. He was an All-District football player for the Odem Scrapping Owls and a 4-year letterman. Michael was a member of the Odem Volunteer Fire Department for many years. In recent years, Michael loved driving a race car at CC Speedway. He was awarded Rookie of the Year from CC Speedway in 2012. At the banquet when he got this award, he was nicknamed "Wild Man" because he hit everything on the track! Michael was happiest BBQing for his friends in his backyard and/or fishing in the freezing cold weather for giant redfish. On any given evening, Michael could be found soaking in the hot tub and enjoying and ice cold Michelob Ultra. He lived his life to the absolute fullest. The Winters' family has been overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support from family and friends. Pallbearers will be Colton Winters, Zach Anderson, Preston Anderson, Kurt Kastner, Jason Brock, Lance Hunter, Leighton Stovall, Erick Kolar, and Jay Cass. Visitation will be on Tuesday, January 3, 2017 from 5:30 to 7:30 pm at Sawyer-George Funeral Home in Corpus Christi, TX. A funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 am on Wednesday, January 4, 2017 at the San Patricio Fairgrounds Event Center at 219 W 5th Street, Sinton, TX. He will be laid to rest at Evergreen Cemetery in Odem, TX.