James Winston

Jim Winston was born and raised in Geneva, Illinois. He graduated in 1950 from the University of Illinois with a degree in mechanical engineering and later obtained his Professional Engineer certification. Immediately after graduating from college he married his high school sweetheart, Shirley Essig, and they moved to Rockford, Illinois where he was employed by Barber-Coleman for many years. Here they had 5 children: Jo Anne, Charles (who died at birth), Susan, Roger and Lori. During this time he moonlighted as a professional photographer, developing his own photos in a basement darkroom. He also took his family on many road trips, including the New York World's Fair, Florida and California. In 1970 he moved his family to Denver, CO where he took a position with a local engineering firm. He loved Colorado and enjoyed many outdoor activities with his family including camping, fishing, photography, road trips, sight-seeing and feeding the bears. He lost his wife Shirley in 1984 to Huntington's Disease. He married Earolynn Todd in 1986 and they traveled extensively in this country and overseas, which he enjoyed very much. He lost Earolynn to cancer in 1998. He was a good caretaker to Earolynn during her illness. His daughter Susan died of Huntington's Disease in 2000. Jim faced many serious health issues himself during his life by always managed to overcome them with his strong will to live. Jim's last & longest employment tenure was with the RMH Group in the Denver area where he worked on many interesting projects and eventually retired at the age of 77. Jim met Eleanor Ashley at a widows and widowers function in 2001 and they committed their lives to each other in 2005. They were very compatible and enjoyed many activities together - concerts, plays, movies & travel. Jim faced many illnesses during this time and Eleanor was a wonderful support to him. Jim also was devoted to his grandchildren, visiting them weekly and playing board games, watching movies and just loving them. In his later years he greatly enjoyed his hobby of flying remote control helicopters and belonged to a group of enthusiasts. Even during his time in the nursing home he continued to enjoy bingo and attending family gatherings, his last one being a birthday party on September 6 - two weeks before his death. He will be greatly missed. A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday September 24, 2009 at Horan & McConaty Family Chapel, 1091 S. Colorado Blvd. in Denver. Committal at Ft. Logan National Cemetery, Staging Area B, will follow at 1:30 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations in Jim's honor may be made to the Huntington's Disease Society of America, 6545 W. 44th Ave., #1, Wheat Ridge, CO 80033 Click on ""Sign Guestbook"" to share Memories of Jim and messages of condolences for his family.