Jay Winter

Jay Winter, loving husband, father, brother, grandfather, uncle and friend passed away in Vancouver, Washington  Sunday, July 19, 2015, surrounded by loved ones.

Born to Arnet and Ruby Winter in Huron, South Dakota, Jay was the second of four children. Raised on the family farm in the Wessington Hills, he loved sunshine and wide-open spaces, riding his horses while playing cowboys and Indians with his brothers, cousins and friends.  He attended Wessington Springs High School, a Christian boarding school and Central Christian College in McPherson, Kansas, where he made many life-long friends.

Jay served in the U.S. Army and National Guard during the Vietnam and Pueblo Crisis era (1966 – 1971). In 1969, he moved to Centralia, Washington and began a 15 year career in law enforcement, becoming police chief the last five years. While in the police department, Jay completed a bachelor of science degree in public administration. His entire career was spent in law enforcement, as a Lewis County Commissioner, with Washington Counties Risk Pool and as Walla Walla County Personnel and Risk Manager. He retired in 2012 after 41 years in public service.

Jay was very athletic and enjoyed a variety of sports. He excelled at basketball, tennis, racquetball, softball, water and snow skiing and in recent years, pickle ball. He also refereed pickle ball and basketball games and coached the Centralia girl’s High School Junior Varsity basketball team for several years.

A man of many interests, Jay loved car racing and raced go carts, stock cars and later, mini-cups. Watching NASCAR was a favorite hobby and he tried to attend one race every year. Bicycling and motorcycling were also activities he enjoyed with many friends through the years.

An avid reader, Jay’s personal library was filled with books on Christian life, Bible studies, leadership, personal growth and police detective novels. He was often in the middle of several books simultaneously and ready for a deep discussion about new ideas or projects he wanted to pursue. He also owned and operated a Christian bookstore, the Commentary, for many years. Jay will always be known and respected for his deep Christian faith, strength of character, honesty, integrity and leading by example.

Jay is survived by his wife, Pamella; daughter, Nicoe (Jerry) King; grandsons, Austin and Alex; son, Chad Winter; granddaughter, Sabaea;  stepdaughters, Heidi (Warner) Scott; granddaughters, Casey and Riley; Holly (Justin) Clegg; grandsons, Forrest and Hunter; Heather (Ronnie) Miller; twin grandsons, Reed and Rory; brothers, Jerry (Darlene) Winter and Dan (Bonnie) Winter; sister, Pam (Mike) Smith; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Arnet and Ruby Winter; and former wife, Janice Draper Winter.

A celebration of life will be held at 3:00 p.m., Aug.  2, 2015, at Liberty Bible Nazarene Church, 12401 NE Salmon Creek Ave, Vancouver, WA 98686. A private graveside will be held at a later date at Willamette National Cemetery in Portland.

Memorial contributions may be made in Jay’s name to Danner Farms Mentoring Project, 1900 S. Main St., Milton-Freewater, OR 97862.