Carol Jean Wheeler Winegar was born in Payson, Utah in 1940 to loving parents, Archie Grant Wheeler and Harriet Bowcutt. Carol Jean had just celebrated her 79th birthday, she loved celebrating her birthday by going to Village Inn for blueberry crepes.
She married Larry Langford Winegar, together they celebrated 57 wonderful years together before his passing just two months ago. He welcomed her home, to Heaven, with open arms and many hugs on March 30th. Her only sister, Sandra Shaw, was also waiting for her in Heaven, with crochet hooks, knitting needles, and cross stitching projects that they could do together. Jean is survived by her daughter, Paige, her son-in-law, Bob Pettipaw, and two grandchildren whom she absolutely loved and adored, Anna Jean and Wyatt LeMar Pettipaw.
While growing up in Sugar House, Jean decided to attend the University of Utah. She paid her own way and walked to the college daily. She worked for several years as an Executive Secretary to the President of El Paso Natural Gas, later named Northwest Pipeline Energy Co. which at the time was building the Alaskan Pipeline.
Barry and Jean designed and constructed their nest egg in Sandy, Utah which they kept immaculately groomed and clean. They had Maltese dogs that they loved to pieces. They also loved and served as landlords for more than 50 years. Their tenants loved her dearly.
Jean battled several physical battles throughout her life but with her loving husband Barry by her side they never gave up on each other. She never complained, and continued to take care of everyone
around her with love and compassion. She was admired for the fact that she always stayed faithful to God through those physical and spiritual challenges. Challenges that come to everyone.
A few of her friends and relatives were asked to describe Jean and some of her traits and memories:
“Jean was very, very intelligent and very precise or organized. She was passionate about what she believed in and of course, she loved Barry. She sent flowers and wrote thank you notes to those who helped her. She was extremely thoughtful.”
Most of you have memories of her when you were much younger. When one of her nephews was young he said, “I always thought Barry married a real beauty queen. Tall, elegant and refined. Always showed up at family events hallmarked by her classy, reserved demeanor.”
“I idolized her. She was so “hip”. Always bought me things that were in vogue.” Things a model would wear. She taught me how to do my nails. She made me feel special.”
“Jean was soft spoken, smart and thrifty. She was always very professional. She had class in all she did. Jean and Barry were meant for each other. What an awesome romance they had. We are all glad they didn’t have to be apart long.”
"Jean was a kind, compassionate woman with a great sense of humor. She was always interested in her friends and family’s lives. Doing her best to enjoy life to its fullest. She loved her family more
than anything, Aunt Jean was also extremely bright, and hard working.”
One of her dearest friends and neighbors said, “She was a really elegant woman who loved clothes, style, the arts and beauty. She had a genius for knowing people and picking great gifts that
captured who they were. She had a really rare talent for loving and being loved and had a wonderful marriage. She was the kind of woman who took her granddaughter to Victoria's Secret. Everyone
noticed the chemistry between Jean and Barry. Always kissing and holding hands.”
“She was always kind to me. Always patient, would let me play with her stuffed animals at Harriet’s and would run interference with her sister when SHE got after me. I really had a great time with them in all
the things that we did. Did not care for the cheek pinching though. But that was her way of expressing her love so I didn’t make a fuss. She taught me to never judge; to treat all people with genuine love
and respect even though they may have mental or physical challenges. To accept that all faiths have one goal, to be Christ like and serve others. To be thankful and gracious. That’s the example of the person she was.”
Jean passed away peacefully on March 30th with family near and dear surrounding her after an unfortunate car accident. She and Barry were obviously inseparable, had made all the arrangements to leave for their favorite place the day of her funeral, Maui. They get to go together after all.
“Aloha Oi…until we meet again." We love you Mom, Grandma, Sister, Aunt, Daughter, Cousin and Friend.
In lieu of flowers please make donations, in Jean's name, to the Choroideremia Research Foundation at www.curechm.org.
Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, April 13th, at 11:00AM, at Jean and Barry's LDS Church, Willow Creek 1st Ward Chapel, located at 2115 East Sublette Place, Sandy, Utah 84093.
A family viewing will be same day from 10:00AM to11:00AM.
