Gerald R Wines

To the United States Air Force, he was Airmen Wines. To IBM, he was a gifted and innovative engineer. To friends, neighbors, and nearly everyone who knew him, he was simply Roger — the man who showed up with the right tool, a ready smile, and a willingness to help. He leaves behind a legacy as wide and enduring as the Texas sky.

Early Life

Roger was born on October 17, 1936, in Detroit, Michigan, but his heart belonged to Texas. He was raised in Kerrville on a Hill Country ranch along the Guadalupe River, a place he spoke of with lifelong pride.

From an early age, Roger was an enthusiastic tinkerer. By nine, he had built a photography darkroom in the family’s one-car garage. By fourteen, he had earned his HAM radio license and mastered Morse code. He later attended Taylor Vocational School in Houston to study radio and television repair. At just seventeen, he joined the United States Air Force, serving four years as an airborne electronics specialist during the Korean War and achieving the rank of Airman First Class.

Love at the Ticket Window

After his military service, Roger worked alongside his father in a television repair shop and briefly attended Iowa State University to pursue electrical engineering. Then, in 1960, his life took a defining turn.

In Des Moines, a young woman named Geraldine “Jeri” worked as a ticket cashier at a downtown cinema. When Roger approached the window, whatever film was playing became irrelevant — he had found someone far more important.

They were married on February 11, 1961, at First Methodist Church in Ankeny, Iowa, beginning a remarkable relationship. Roger and Jeri built a life rooted in faith, family, and community, and danced their way into the pages of Texas Monthly in a feature on Texas dance halls. Their shared love of country western dancing was just one expression of a joyful life lived side by side. Jeri preceded him in death in September 2023. One can only imagine that somewhere, the music is still playing, and they are dancing together again.

IBM — Building the Modern World

Roger began his career with IBM on May 5, 1961. Over the next 25 years, he contributed to technologies that helped shape modern computing. His work included the Selectric typewriter series, magnetic card printers, FET chip design, circuit board layout, and contributions to the team behind the first IBM personal computer.

His career took him from Des Moines to Austin in 1963, to Lexington, Kentucky in 1967 for Development Lab work, and back to Austin in 1969, where he remained. Beyond engineering, Roger was known for improving systems, enhancing workplace safety, organizing shop operations, and leading plant-wide CPR training. Wherever he worked, things ran better because he was there.

A Man Who Showed Up — For Everyone

Roger gave more than 40 years of service to his community — and to countless strangers — with a generosity that was both steadfast and, at times, astonishing to his family. He had a rare gift for recognizing need and responding without hesitation, whether with his time, his resources, or his skills.

If his truck wasn’t in the driveway, his children knew he was likely somewhere improving someone else’s life. Roger could strike up a conversation with anyone and genuinely delighted in hearing and sharing stories.

Roger dedicated many years to community service across a wide range of organizations. He was deeply involved with the Austin Aqua Festival, beginning in 1964 and later serving as Vice Commodore and Finance Advisor. An active participant in amateur radio, he contributed to the Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES), Radio Emergency Associated Communication Teams (REACT) in Travis County, and the Austin Amateur Radio Club.

In addition, Roger volunteered as a CPR instructor with the American Red Cross and served as Vice President of the American Heart Association. His commitment to youth and community programs included years of service with Little League Baseball at Balcones, the Boy Scouts of America, the Austin Trail of Lights, the Austin-Travis County Rodeo, Austin-Travis County Emergency Management Services, and his neighborhood association.

Faith & Passions

Roger’s Christian faith was the foundation of his life — guiding every act of service, every generous gesture, and every helping hand. He lived his faith fully and actively.

He was rarely seen without his signature cowboy boots and hat, worn everywhere from church to galas to rodeos. He loved country western dancing, photography, HAM radio, Morse code, audio and video production, and travel.

Roger cherished family gatherings and believed deeply in having everyone together, well-fed, and accounted for. Holidays were especially meaningful to him, filled with laughter, presence, and connection.

He also had a well-known inability to walk past anything in need of repair. A loose wire, a faulty speaker, or a malfunctioning microphone simply could not be ignored. Church volunteers quickly learned to have the sound system in perfect order before Roger arrived — or risk a slightly delayed service. He maintained an active HAM radio setup that family members suspected operated at a level far beyond their understanding.

Roger is survived by his four children: Richard, Kimberly, Kenny, and Patrick; his grandchildren Christopher, Jenness, Jade, Matthew, Shay, Aaron, Brandy, and Amanda; his great-grandchildren Victoria, Daxton, and Connor; his nieces Valerie and Theresa; and his great-grandnieces Abbey and Mary.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 62 years, Geraldine “Jeri” Lee Wines; his father, Gerald Edwin Wines; his mother, Nannette Adean; Wines and Sister Nancy Jane Kietzke.

A Final Thought

Roger often began his day with a simple prayer by Norman Grubb:

“Good morning, Christ. I love you. What are you up to today?

I want to be part of it. Thank you, God. Amen.”

Services to be held at Christ Episcopal Church, Cedar Park, Texas

April 20th, 2026 at 1:00pm

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Christ Episcopal Church 3520 W Whitestone Blvd, Cedar Park, TX 78613-7973.

https://www.cectx.org