John W. Winter

John W. Winter, 94, passed away on May 27, 2024.He was born on February 20, 1930 in Cranford, New Jersey to John Victor Winter and Marie (Haug) Winter. His parents met in NYC after immigrating from London, England and Oberderdingen, Germany.John earned a BS from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, was in the Navy ROTC, served three years aboard aircraft carrier USS Leyte and the Missouri. He was a member of the Acacia fraternity.In 1955 John married Margery Anne Van Keuren and earned a master’s degree in electrical engineering from Yale University. He was promoted to Lieutenant while in the reserve.John helped develop the first autopilots for general aviation aircraft. In 1980 he purchased Mid-Continent Instruments in Wichita, Kansas. He notably designed the Lifesaver Gyro® and other legacy aviation instruments during a career that spanned 50 years.John was involved with the Aircraft Electronics Association (AEA) beginning in 1994. He was on the Board of Directors, served as Treasurer, chaired the AEA Educational Foundation, and received the AEA’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006.John was an avid fly fisherman and ham radio operator who enjoyed sharing these hobbies with his family. He loved weekends on Bolivar peninsula and at the family ranch in Texas. He spent many happy hours fishing for trout on the Beaverkill River in upstate New York. John was also an active member of the Wichita Downtown Lions Club for more than 20 years.Preceded in death by his parents, John and Marie Winter; sisters, Dorthea Winter and Marion Roberts; niece, Autumn Lanham, and daughter, Marganne Oxley.John is survived by his loving wife (of 69 years), Margery Anne Winter; children, J. Todd Winter (Ellen), Jane Marie Schulte (Matt) and son-in-law, David Oxley. John is also survived by grandchildren, Will Winter Oxley (Andrea), John Van Keuren Winter (Sara), Nicholas Todd Winter (Victoria), Sondra Rae Haro (Denys), Ryan Doull Winter (Kendall), George Dean Schulte, Ellen Paige Schulte; and seven great-grandchildren. He is survived by his nieces, Holly Stroth, Anne Taylor, Susan Taylor and Mary Taylor.A private family interment will be held at the Stryker cemetery in Corrigan, Texas.In memory of John contributions may be made to the Aircraft Electronics Association Educational Foundation c/o John W. Winter, 3570 NE Ralph Powell Road, Lee’s Summit, MO 64064.Services in care of Downing & Lahey East Mortuary.