Douglas Gene Winters, 93, passed away peacefully on December 4, 2021, in Ann Arbor, Michigan, with family by his side.

Doug was born on April 5, 1928, to the late George and Lovina (Raymond) Winters in Adrian, Michigan, and was raised with his three sisters, Gloria, Nancy, and Linda. These formative years during the depression shaped a lifetime of relentless hard work, frugality, and love for his family. He was, as many described him, “a good man.”

A fateful task to walk his sister’s friend home in the dark led to a date with the pretty blonde, named Carol. He quit school to join the U.S. Merchant Marine and was stationed in Toledo, Ohio, where he shoveled coal on a steamship. He and Carol stayed in touch – and he hated the mariner life so didn’t stay long – and they married on May 24, 1947, both barely 19. A man of few words, his proposal couldn’t have been more straightforward as he thrust a ring at her and said, “here, this is for you.” Opposites in many ways, Doug and Carol were happily married for 74 years.

Together, they raised five sons (Bruce, Mark, Kevin, Paul, and Aaron) in a cozy two-story home on a corner lot in Ann Arbor – the epicenter of too many “don’t try this at home” moments to count over the years. The boys would slide on cardboard boxes down the stairs, climb ladders to the sky in the yard, jump off the roof, and admittedly, break a few windows playing ball. There was nothing that Doug couldn’t fix though, and the boys, all skilled handymen today, learned by watching. Doug worked faithfully at Sears for over 40 years. It was a real treat when he would take a son on his Saturday appliance repair home visits. Rarely one to sit still, he could usually be found with a paintbrush, screwdriver, or hammer in hand, even in his free time. His kids fondly remember the rare Sunday evening where they might all sit down together around the television. When mom needed a day off, Doug would pile the boys into the family car and go fishing at Hamburg Lake for the day. A far away family vacation meant a camping trip at the Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes.

Doug was quiet, unassuming, and steadfastly devoted to his family. He didn’t need anything fancy.

After retirement, he volunteered generously, delivering meals to seniors with Meals on Wheels (ironically, until he was 90 years old himself), driving for Red Cross, and serving as an usher at the West Side United Methodist Church. He rode his bicycle until upwards of age 90 as well, though there was that one time he fell into fresh tar and came home to clean the gravel out of his knee with turpentine.

He found great joy in spending time with his grandchildren (Christine, Matt, Peter, Rachel, Lisa, and Caleigh) and had a real fondness for shooting off toy rockets in the park, building a fort in the middle of the living room, or playing a round of ping pong or pool with them. They are fond of the fact that he always thought it was the right time for a bowl of popcorn, chocolate bar, or donut. He was the anchor of many fun Winters family gatherings, where no occasion was too small for togetherness.

He is preceded in death by his son, Paul; his parents, George and Lovina; and sisters, Gloria, Nancy, and Linda.

Doug will be missed by those that survive him: his wife, Carol; his sons, Bruce (Renee), Mark (Connie), Kevin (Margo), and Aaron (Cathy); his daughter-in-law, Jane; his grandchildren, Christine (Mike) Lazarecki, Matt (Jena) Winters, Peter Winters, Rachel (Will) Plummer, Lisa (Alan) Kasprak, and Caleigh Winters; his five great-granddaughters; and his many extended family members.

A memorial service will be held privately. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Ann Arbor Meals on Wheels: https://leadersandbest.umich.edu/find/#!/give/basket/fund/212580, or mailed to Michigan Medicine Office of Development, University of Michigan, 777 E. Eisenhower Pkwy., Suite 650, Ann Arbor, MI, 48108. Checks can be made out to Michigan Medicine with “Ann Arbor Meals on Wheels” in the memo and a note that this is in memory of Doug Winters. Doug was also an avid supporter of the Kalamazoo Humane Society: www.kazoohumane.org/donate.

Please sign the Tribute Wall and share a memory of Douglas or send a condolence to the family.