August Winter

August was born as Michael T. Brammer on February 9th, 1979 in Pocatello, Idaho to Dee Ann Winter and Stephen Paul Brammer. August’s parents divorced while he was still very young. August was very close with his grandparents, Robert L. Winter and Lillian “Joan” Jones Winter. He often spoke of fond memories of their home on Lincoln Avenue in Pocatello and trips up to Island park where they had a small cabin. Robert tragically died at 59 years of age. August, at only 13, felt his loss like that of a father. At 14, August moved out for the first time. He graduated with his GED in 1995 and was said to have the highest score seen thus far.

Around 1996, August wrote a column for the zine UPC. He organized shows at his house as a teen, featuring bands like At the Drive-In, GBH, and so many more before they got huge. Some favorite local bands that played there were Jill, The Jimmies, and The Zillionaires. He was in a hardcore band, One Step Ahead (vocals), and in Switchblade Angels (drums), both in Idaho and Delaware. He wrote lyrics for both bands. He was in a “Buzzcocks”-style band while living in California (vocals). He was in a western swing band, Philo T And The Spud City Scientists (drums), among other bands. He also DJed, with reggae nights being his favorite.

August met his soulmate, E. Tess Amoureux, in Pocatello in 2002. They moved in together in 2003 and were married October 13, 2014, in Bothell, Washington. August and Tess moved from Idaho to Colorado in 2006 and returned to Idaho in 2007. They moved to Kennewick, Washington in 2011 before settling in the Seattle area in 2014.

It was around that time that Michael changed his name to August. He had been known by a few names in his younger years, including Michael, Mike, Brammer, and Marv. Tess always called him Baby because he never felt his name fit him. In 2014 he decided on a family name that truly fit and changed his name to August Winter.

It was also around that time that August had been feeling ill. He and Tess hoped that Seattle’s climate and access to world-class doctors and hospitals would be good for him. Even though August believed he had throat cancer as early as 2012, it wasn’t until 2018 that he received a diagnosis for stage IV throat cancer. He underwent treatment but was later diagnosed with sinus cancer in 2021. He underwent more surgery and treatment, but the cancer returned to both locations and spread to his lungs and brain by 2022. Immunotherapy in 2022 was unsuccessful, and August and Tess set out to complete his bucket list and make lasting memories. Tess was close by his side during the last few months of his life.

August was very intelligent and loved learning. He was full of ideas and would often be reading a technical manual or watching a documentary. He had varied interests, but music was his passion. He was a drummer first from necessity, but his true love was the guitar. He always wished he was more talented at guitar (stupid human hands) and was constantly searching for an instrument that was a perfect fit. In addition to drums and guitar, August played synthesizer, keyboards/organ, bass, bass guitar, harmonica, accordion, and even recorder! At the end he was drumming with his fingers even when he couldn't speak.

He did leatherwork. He drew and painted. He wrote songs and lyrics. He designed clothes and did screen printing. He was very fashionable and once while in NYC was stopped to be photographed for a Japanese fashion magazine. He loved movies, especially horror and sci-fi. He loved cars and owned several antique cars over his lifetime. He was incredibly unique, with an amazing sense of humor. He loved animals and was always kind to others.

August is survived by his devoted wife, E. Tess Amoureux and their loving cats Bela, Misu, and Danzig; His sister Kali Luna (Miguel, children Gabriella and Isla); his dear friend Ty Ford (children Aiden and Andy), and many other friends and family members. August was preceded in death by his beloved grandparents, Robert L. Winter and Lillian “Joan” Jones Winter, his Uncle Robert D. Winter, and his favorite cat Digital.

August is now free from pain and had planned to stay by Tess’s side in a different form until she can join him fully again.

A graveside service for August will be held on Wednesday, October 4, 2023 from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM at Evergreen Washelli Funeral Home, 11111 Aurora Ave N, Seattle, WA 98133, with a visitation prior from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM, and a memorial at August and Tess’s home in Everett that evening. Email [email protected] for information to attend the memorial service or to add a song that reminds you of August to the playlist. Please bring an item that reminds you of August or be prepared to write a short note. Respirator masks will be provided and are requested when not eating, drinking, or making a speech. Wearing black is also requested.