Michael K. Winger

Michael K. Winger was born on August 19, 1950 to Juanita Bersabe and Jake (Jack) Vigil, both of which have preceded him in death. He was the second of 5 children: Maria (deceased), Jake (Nancy), Patricia (Bill) and Joseph. He married Donna Southworth (deceased) on April 9, 1976. On March 28, 1983, he welcomed his only blood child, Disa. He became a father in law to Jimmy on October 7, 2007. In 2012 and 2014, he became a grandfather (Umpa) to Xander and Joscelin. He was like a father to Robb, Kellye and Cari, as well as many other nieces, nephews and non-blood relative children. On September 29, 2023, he passed from his Earthly body to go be with Jesus, God, his wife and other family members for whom he was excited to finally meet, and reunite with. He passed peacefully in his bed in the early morning, with his daughter at his side.

When you think about Mick, you are likely to feel many conflicting thoughts. He was in one breath, the most infuriating man you’d know, and in the next, the biggest champion that you could ever have at your side. He rarely intended to be cruel - he simply lacked or inappropriately employed the social standard fluff that society has been accustomed to. The fact is, he never feared telling the truth that you probably needed to hear, and he had an endless depth to his heart and caring. If there was a problem, he would devote his whole brain, heart and soul to solve it or help you solve it.

Mick lived life with the intention to take the path less traveled, and grabbed life by the horns without letting go. It didn’t matter that others didn’t understand what drove him. What matters is that he did what he thought was right. Being a stay at home Dad who homeschooled his daughter in the 80’s and 90’s while pursuing his passion to write fiction novels that would never be become mainstream during his lifetime? That took courage. Courage to fight society and family who used all the ammo to tell him he was wrong, making mistakes, not living up to potential. But what did he produce? A daughter who has thrived in life. A close knit family that would do anything for each other. And, one cannot help but continue to believe, having written novels that will delight and inspire for decades to come.

Many people don’t have the guts to reach out and try new things, they don’t have the dream or the inspiration to think they can change, and you would never put Mick in this category. You’ll rarely meet a bigger dreamer. And though some of his dreams and goals were massive failures (learning the trumpet. Truly. Nothing more needs to be said. *shudder*), he picked up and re-learned guitar and drums later in life. He joined a band as their drummer and sometimes singer, which was a source of delight for many years.

He learned programming on the computer, created databases and scanned in thousands of pages to catalog some of the United States’ historical works. In our internet/everything is at our fingertips on our phone age, this may sound unimpressive, but the fact he did this on his own, without all these devices, was amazing. He learned how to do digital art so impressively, that he’d rival experts in the field. He learned how to create his fictional characters so you’d know what they look like. On top of all this, he was amazing at painting, drawing and various mixed media art.

One of his little life goals and challenges was to take complicated things and make them simple. He delighted in solving problems and documenting them so that others could partake of the solution without the pain it took to get there. Mick was the person who worked tirelessly (for a man that society never thought actually worked). His plan was to keep trucking until the day God took him to be with him. But we don’t always know God’s will, and at the end, he found that he had a lot left to learn with many little tests of his will, his faith and his character. At the end, he continued to do his best to be the best patient he could be. He still enjoyed all the love and company he could from “the guys,” Disa, Jimmy, Sam, Kellye, Becky, Jim, Jake and Patty. He equally appreciated the gentleness of everyone, and the “whack upside the head and get yer act together” that he sometimes got. I am sure he had more inner frustrations than anyone saw.

As a brother, whether by blood or marriage, Mick was the person you’d always go to when you needed help, another view point, or just someone fun to talk to. You were likely to catch him on the phone with his brother Jake for hours, talking about music or the past. With Patty, he loved to chat about the Bible and their past. In Sam, he found a lifelong partner in many things, and she was the person he most loved talking/fighting over various things in the bible with. In Jim, he found a best friend that shared so many of his passions and delights. With Becky, he found a kind soul, and someone to enjoy discussing just about anything with. Patti and Chris were also a source of delight, and whom he enjoyed talking with at any opportunity that presented itself.

At the core of his being, Mick was always a little kid at heart. Nothing delighted him more than being with innocent kids who still had the ability to imagine, explore, go on adventures, and pretend. He out-kidded the kiddest of kids and always brought out the best in them. Many in the family remember him most as being the one who reminded them what it was like not to be the grown up that society always pushed them to be. Whether it was bringing out the dinosaur set, the army men, or even just going on walks in nature and playing pretend, this guy was the ultimate kid. “Free” years old indeed.

As an Umpa, he found that his lifelong uneasiness around non-females turned out to be a non-issue with his grandsons. He was around his Xanni and Josc multiple times a week for the first 5-7 years of their lives. He was such a lovely fixture in their lives that when we asked them if we should all move in together, they excitedly cried out and Xanni threw himself into Umpa’s arms, excited to be able to see him every day. Together, they were the “ice guys,” or just “the guys,” always doing fun things. Imagination, storytelling by the campfire, playing chess, “eights,” “wacos” or going and doing “tail gates” (getting donuts and milk from Kings and sitting on the tail gate before running around the empty morning lot) were their mode of fun.

As a Dad, one could not ask for anything more. He was far from perfect. Sure, he caused a fair share of pain and suffering, which is the unfortunate side effect of all parenting. Frankly, what he taught his daughter could fill a book (and probably will, some day. But here’s a few things she has to mention: he was my moral compass-reminding me not to “step into snake pits,” to proceed cautiously. Making sure I took in all the things from all sides without just making up my mind. To assess where I was quietly and learning about others before just going in and asserting myself. He taught me to love my chosen mate above all others on this Earth. To do things right the first time, even if it’s more expensive.

Mick was a being unlike anyone you’ll have ever known, or will know. The world will truly never be the same without him.

A graveside service for Mick will be held on Wednesday, October 11 at 9:00 AM at Bear Canon Cemetery, 397. S Perry Park Road, Sedalia, CO 80135. Following the graveside service, a Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:00 AM at Castle Rock United Methodist Church, 1200 South Street, Castle Rock, CO 80104. A reception will immediately follow services in the Church fellowship hall.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.OlingerAndrews.com for the Winger family.