OBITUARY

John T. Winkler

October 30, 1927 – July 21, 2012

After a courageous year long battle with cancer, John Tom Winkler passed away Saturday, July 21, 2012 at the age of 84.

Born October 30th, 1927 in Dayton Ohio he attended Parker High School. In 1949 he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Cincinnati. As a ROTC graduate he served 21 months in the United States Air Force as a 1st Lt. During the Korean War he served as an armament officer on F86 jet fighters. In the early 1950's he moved to Eau Gallie, FL and worked for RCA and for Patrick Air Force Base during the paper tape and vacuum tube days. He worked on a system to digitize telemetry and Doppler. This is where he met Marianne Kay who would be his wife for 57 years. They moved to Orlando, FL in 1959 and raised a family while he worked as an engineer for Martin Marietta. While at Martin he worked on a lot of important projects such as one of the first laser range finders, Star wars or SDI, Sprint, and several autopilot/guidance systems. He was granted many patents for his work. After 31 years he retired from Martin Marietta in 1990. While retired he enjoyed fixing things and teaching his grandchildren the important things in life, like how to take apart a lawnmower or repair a vacuum. He also was a member of the Jaycees, Toastmasters and The Blessed Trinity Catholic Church. He is survived by his wife Marianne Winkler, three sons David Winkler, James Dickenson, Bruce Dickenson, 5 grandchildren, and 5 great grandchildren. Visitation will be at Woodlawn Memorial Park Thursday evening from 5 to 8 P.M. Services will be held at Blessed Trinity Catholic Church, 4545 Anderson Road, Saturday July 28th, at 10:00 am. The church service to be followed by a graveside service at Woodlawn Cemetery 400 Woodlawn Cemetery Road.

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Services

  • Visitation Thursday, July 26, 2012
  • Funeral Service Saturday, July 28, 2012
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REMEMBERING

John T. Winkler

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David Winkler

August 27, 2012

Dad and the Winkler gene.
The Winkler gene can cause you to do funny things, like having an uncontrollable urge to try to fix something that is easier and cheaper to replace or to collect stuff that may have a future use but no current one. To have an incredible urge to try to help others. It causes you to give honest opinions without fear of repercussions. To tell bad jokes in a way that still made them funny. To believe that anything could be healed with Iodex or Epson salts or that anything broken could be either fixed or improved if it wasn't broken. To find joy in creating something that others find useful.
I don't think there is a cure for this and I wouldn't want it even if it is was available.
You never know how much time you have left on this earth or how much time your loved ones have so cherish every moment, love when you can, laugh, and live.
Don't waste time on unimportant things, don't wait to live, don't put off important things for the future that may never come.
I love you Dad, and I have always been and will always be proud to be your son.

Janet Erskine

August 4, 2012

John Tom was always there to lend a helping hand. I can't count the number of times he has helped me through the years, I will never regret the day I became a permanent part of this wonderful family.

August 4, 2012

John Tom was always there to help out whenever a need arose! I can't count the many times through the years he was there for me. I will never regret the day I became a permanent part of this wonderful family. Janet Erskine

July 26, 2012

John was one of my best supervisors and mentors at Martin Marietta. He was always very kind and thoughtful and had very clever solutions for difficult problems. I will miss him.

David L. Emmons
dlemmons@cfl.rr.com

Bo & Ro Miller

July 26, 2012

John Tom - I usually never saw him unless it was at a family event. It was always interesting to hear what he was into at the moment. His ideas usually were a little over my head but after I checked it out he was just about always right. Good life - Good family - Amen !!!!

July 25, 2012

My prayers are with you. John Tom was always eager to help anyone at anytime. Will never forget when he said, "buy your brakes for your VW and I'll put them on your car." He didn't tell that I would be under the car with him. What a wonderful experience! Blessings, MaryAnn

FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY

John Tom in Dayton 1933

FROM THE FAMILY

John Tom 1952

FROM THE FAMILY

John and Marriane wedding picture September 10, 1955

IN THE CARE OF

Woodlawn Memorial Park & Funeral Home
Gotha, FL
407-293-1361