Glen Lee Roy Winter

Glen Lee Roy Winter, 97, of Meeker, Oklahoma, passed away January 30, 2024. 

Glen was born June 19, 1926, in Meeker, Oklahoma, to Roy and Belvia Clinkenbeard Winter. He often described his childhood as idyllic with a big family and parents who taught him the Bible and the value of hard work. He told many stories of how his family not only survived, but thrived while farming during the Great Depression.  He was a veteran of WWII, seeing active combat in the South Pacific as part of the the 187th Anti-Tank Company in the 132nd ‘Americal’ Division and the occupation of Japan as part of the 187th “Rakasaans” in the 11th Airborne. 

In 1947, Glen married his sweetheart, June Hoge, in Meeker.  They moved to California where Glen trained as a painter and eventually opened his own company, Winter Painting Service, which grew to be one of the largest residential and commercial painting firms in the state.  They lived for many years in Fresno and eventually settled in Tulare, California, and lived there until after June passed away in 1994.  He and June were true partners in making their business successful. Glen not only trained many young men in the painting trade, but he also created a business that sustained many extended family members who worked in some capacity as part of the business.

In the late 1960s, Glen, along with his wife and children, joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Glen faithfully served in many positions in the church over the years, including Executive Secretary, High Priest Group Leader, and Stake Missionary.  He was instrumental in the building of a new church in Tulare, California, and donated all the finish work and materials for two phases of construction.  He also gave several young people the opportunity to serve missions through his financial support.

Aside from his church service, Glen spent his free time fishing as often as possible.  He bought a boat and loved to go to the lakes in the Sierra Nevada mountains or to the ocean for fishing.  His son, Chuck, often went with him as did his grandsons.  Many wonderful memories were made around fishing. He and June loved going to the coast where she would read books and he would fish. 

June passed away in 1994 after 47 years of marriage. Glen married Letha Grant Romane and moved “home” to Meeker.  He bought his uncle’s farm (which he named “Winterhaven”) just east of Meeker and enjoyed many years there with Letha serving in the Church and tending to some very large gardens.  He used his old paint scaffolding to create a vegetable stand that he would put in front of his home to sell fruits and vegetables and years later still received compliments from people about the tremendous produce he grew.  They loved attending the LDS temple in Dallas and then in Oklahoma City when one was built there.

Glen took care of his wife, Letha, in her battle with Alzheimer’s until she passed away in 2017 after 22 years of marriage.  At that time, his daughter and son-in-law moved in with him and he enjoyed spending time with them as well as with his other family.  He loved going out to music nights at Midlothian and Tryon, where he had the opportunity to spend time with his siblings who also attended.  He especially enjoyed his relationship with his brother, Arvel, who lived one road over.  His son-in-law bought an old limousine, just for fun, and the brothers were often seen traveling to music nights or veteran’s events in it.

Glen was predeceased by his parents and two spouses; three children, Charles “Chuck” Winter, Glenda “Ginger” Parks, and Donna Gould; three brothers, Herman, Arvel, and Delbert “Wayne” Winter, two sisters, Jerlene Murray and Mildred Fowler, two grandsons, Jonathan Winter and William Michael “Mickey” Fitzpatrick, and a great grandchild, Kira Bogard.

He is survived by daughter and son-in-law, Ronda and Jeff Eldridge of Meeker, and daughter Deana Mathias of Wrightsville, Arkansas, daughter-in-law Katy Winter of Saratoga Springs, Utah, son-in-law Earl Parks, of Atascadero, California, and son-in-law Rick Gould, of Floral, Arkansas; three sisters, Dorothy Randall and Norma Pettit of Meeker, and Delores Elrod of Enid, sister-in-law Ruth Ann Winter of Meeker, 19 grandchildren, 32 great grandchildren, and 8 great-great grandchildren.

The family would like to thank the staff of Elara Caring Hospice for their kindness, support, and excellent care during the past three years.

Memorial Donations may be made to Elara Caring Hospice at the following link: https://elaracaringhospicefoundation.org/donate/ or by mail to: Elara Caring Foundation, 209 E. Washington Ave., Suite 450, Jackson, MI 49201