Colonel Donald Kistler Winston, beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather and uncle, passed away on Thursday, June 23, 2022 in Las Vegas, NV after a brief illness. He was 91. He was born in San Francisco, CA to Walter L. Winston and Marian Warner Winston on January 5, 1931. He was their third child and was preceded in death by one brother, Eugene Winston, and one sister, Barbara Blackmun.
Don and his future wife, Jean Winston, met during their junior year at Campbell High School in Campbell, CA. They were married at the age of 19 in San Jose, CA on December 25, 1950, shortly after Don joined the U. S. Air Force. Don remained a devoted husband to Jean until her death in November, 2020 just one month before their 70th wedding anniversary.
Don spent 33 years in the Air Force and retired as a Colonel. He was a pilot and loved to fly. He was a Distinguished Graduate from Officer Candidate School. He created, developed and authored the Initial Combat Air Refueling Tactical Doctrine which was published and implemented throughout the Air Force. As an aircraft commander and instructor pilot, he flew over 100 combat missions in Southeast Asia. He was a distinguished graduate of Air War College at Maxwell AFB, AL. He became a wing commander at Grissom AFB, IN during which time he was awarded two Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards. After retiring from the Air Force, he became a Division Leader for the Personnel Administration Division of Los Alamos Laboratories in New Mexico. While there he also became involved with the United Way in Los Alamos, becoming Campaign Chairman, then VP and then President of the Board. He also served as the Director of the Emergency Management for Los Alamos County. Don then retired again and moved to Colorado where he established a flying club. He then became employed by Fairfield Resorts and was asked to move to Las Vegas to serve as a Human Resources Coordinator and Administrative Assistant to the VP of Sales. He continued to move up to the position of Regional HR Director for Cendant-Timeshare Resort Group and eventually became the Regional Human Resources Director for Wyndham Consumer Finance in Las Vegas. He eventually retired in his eighties to take care of his wife until she passed in 2020.
Don received a Bachelor of Science degree from George Washington University and a Master of Political Science from Auburn University. Those who knew Don referred to him as inspiring, respectful, supportive, wise, motivating, admirable, genuine, amiable and stately. He was also patriotic. He was proud of our country and was honored to serve in the U.S. Air Force.
Don was preceded in death by his wife, Jean, their son, Steven C. Winston Sr. and a great granddaughter, Everleigh Huff. He is survived by his daughters Teri Ingram of Titus, AL, (Michael) and Vicki Winston Maloney (John) of San Francisco, CA, daughter-in-law Debbie Winston of Tucson, AZ, grandchildren Kimberly Blackmon (Chase) of Daphne, AL, Rebecca Ingram (Blake Brooks) of Gardendale, AL, Kaitlyn Winston-Smith of Tucson, AZ, Steven Winston, Jr. of Cheyenne, WY (Jazzmyn Robson), Megan Joliff (Joshua Smith) of Ft. Collins, CO, and great grandchildren Branson Blackmon, Samantha Smith, Channing Smith, Amatiel Joliff, Taran Joliff, Molly Smith, Marian Smith and Tayva Winston.
A celebration of Don’s life will be held at Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside, CA on August 25, 2022 in a private family graveside ceremony with military honors.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.palmcheyenne.com for the Winston family.
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