Michael Jay Winkler

Michael Winkler passed away the 10th of November in The Woodlands, TX surrounded by loving family and friends after a long and courageous battle with cancer. A long-time business leader in Houston, TX, Mike was born in Cranford, New Jersey on March 1, 1945. After graduating from Bunnell High School in Stratford, CT, Mike earned a degree in electrical engineering from Lehigh University and a masters degree in business administration from Harvard Business School. Upon graduation, Mike joined Xerox Corporation, launching what would become a long and distinguished career in the technology industry. Mike served for 4 years as Vice President and General Manager at Toshiba America before joining the executive management team at Compaq in 1995. He continued to serve in key management positions at Hewlett-Packard Company before retiring as Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer in 2005. Outside of his work at HP, Mike served on the boards of Dun & Bradstreet and Banta Corporation.

Mike was a man of great faith who loved life. An active member of The Woodlands United Methodist Church, he enjoyed participating in Bible Study Fellowship with friends and family. He was an avid golfer and enjoyed traveling the world with his loving wife, Carol. A kind and gentle spirit, Mike cultivated lasting relationships everywhere he went. Above all, Mike was a man of great integrity, passionate in his devotion to his family and friends. A loving husband, father and grandfather, affectionately known as G-Pa to his grandchildren, he was a caring and loyal patriarch to those he loved. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

Mike is preceded in death by his parents Burton Cole Winkler Sr. and L. Angela Wenger, his brother Burton Cole Winkler Jr., and his daughter Lauren Cole Winkler. He is survived by his loving wife, Carol Winkler, his beloved children, Jason Winkler and his wife Gia, Lisa Winkler, Jennifer Fargo and her husband David, his grandchildren Katherine, Emily, Michael, Will and Mathew, his sister Lorrie Ksiazek and her husband Michael, brother Jack Winkler and his wife Susan, brother Bill Winkler and numerous nieces, nephews, in-laws and close friends.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 16th at 11:00am at The Woodlands United Methodist Church in The Woodlands, TX. A private burial at 12:30pm will immediately follow the service. The family has requested in lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to MD Anderson Cancer Research in Mike's name.