Ray Winsted

On the 31st of December, 2018, LTC (Ret.) Ray Hamilton Winsted, Sr. accepted his last assignment with the grace and dignity of the good soldier that he was. For those left behind, he died peacefully at his home in Carmel, California. Lt. Col Winsted was a veteran of 33 years of service and three wars. His love of country and dedication of service followed him throughout his life.

Born in Liberal, Kansas to Jesse Baker Winsted and Eunice Fincher Winsted, he was raised in the small farming community of Satanta, Kansas, surrounded by his many Winsted and Fincher aunts and uncles. Jesse Baker ("J.B.") was a farmer, banker, and business leader in Satanta, and Ray was taught that being active in community and church affairs was an obligation.

Ray’s military career began in 1936 with enrollment in the Citizen Military Training Corps. He entered the army in 1941 and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in 1942. Not long after his commission, the love of his life danced into his arms at a USO Valentine dance in Leavenworth, Kansas, and Ray married Louise Reutter on October 26, 1942, in St. Joseph, Missouri.

Ray declined a regular Army commission when the Second World War ended, returned to Satanta, and started a farm implement business with his cousin, Floyd Winsted. The Winsted Implement Company sold tractors, combines and implements to farmers all over the state. Ray was president of the Chamber of Commerce, City Treasurer, and commander of the American Legion.

Recalled to active duty, from the Army Reserves in 1950, Ray decided it was a lot more exciting to drive a tank instead of a tractor and he remained in the military for the rest of his career. He commanded 2 separate tank companies and the 25th Division Reconnaissance Troop in combat in Korea, was a graduate of Army Armor School in Fort Knox, Kentucky, Commander of the 32nd Armor Battalion in Munich, Germany and spent his 33 years in the service moving his family of four children and a wife from Germany to the United States and back again. In 1969, at the age of 49, he was assigned to serve in Vietnam, leaving his wife and children behind one last time. His decorations include two awards of the Legion of Merit, two Bronze Stars, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal and seven Campaign Battle Stars.

Immensely proud of being an American and able to serve his country, Lt. Col Winsted served his last four years as the Inspector General of the Combat Developments Experimentation Command at Fort Ord, California, before retiring in Carmel, California, in 1975.

In 2003, Ray lost his beloved wife, Louise, after 61 years of marriage. He was predeceased by his younger sister, Carolyn Jane Schwertfeger and his grandson, Michael Steven Bartlett. He is survived by his three daughters, Linn Trochim of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Debbie Bartlett of Topeka, Kansas, Carolyn Zeitler of Caspar, California, and a son, Ray Hamilton Winsted, Jr., of Carmel, four grandchildren, and a great-grandson who have been blessed with countless years of love, joy, and laughter for having known him.

A military service with honors will be held on January 18, 2019, at 10:00 a.m. at El Carmelo Cemetery in Pacific Grove, where Ray will be reunited with Louise. A memorial and reception will follow at the Church of the Wayfarer in Carmel, at 11:30.

The family suggests that any contributions made in his memory be made to the Church of the Wayfarer, Monterey County Military and Veterans Affairs Office (MVAO), or the USO.