"Rick, you lived and loved hard. The funny brother the party animal. You could make every one laugh or every one mad . The day you passed I lost a part of me I?ll never get back. I lost a friend , brother and a confidant. I?ll miss you the rest of my life. You always tried to give love to others . Love you never felt you received from the ones that should?ve loved you the most. You fought your demons and found ways to still love. I was and am proud to call you brother and friend. RIP dear brother. "
In loving memory of
Richard Alan Winters
September 5, 1964 - January 7, 2023
On January 7, 2023, Richard Alan Winters passed away following a brief illness. Known as "Rick," he was born September 5, 1964, in La Mirada, California.
Rick moved to Los Banos in 1989. He met Lori in 1990 and they married in 1999. Rick worked in the IT department for Merced County for over 17 years. He retired from there this past September.
His family meant everything to him, especially his grandkids. They affectionately called him "Krazy Papa." He loved to take Olivia and Alex on ice cream and junk food runs. He loved wrestling with Penelope, whose nickname was Princess Piranha. Rick's nickname was "Crying Baby." He also enjoyed hanging out with his nephews and nieces.
If you knew Rick, you knew he never met a stranger. He could talk to anyone, and he was always the life of the party. He loved to barbecue, and he was famous for his barbecued chicken.
He enjoyed Promise Keepers and was proud that he helped start the Homeless Connect for Merced County.
He also loved to dance, play bocce ball and write poems. He shared some of his poems at Open Mic Nites. A favorite pastime was to watch his Miami Dolphins play. Rick had a big personality with a heart to match.
He is preceded in death by his mother-in-law, Peggy Pyeatt, his aunt Linda White and brother-in-law, Brian Bennett.
He is survived by his wife Lori Winters, two children Kristifer (Roxanne) Hew and Kindle (John) Wallace. Three grandchildren Olivia and Alexander Hew and Penelope Wallace. Parents Mary and Gary Maciel and Robert and Terry Winters. Siblings Rob (Kimberly) Winters, Ryan Winters, EJ Maciel, Christine (Matthew) Harden, Danny Winters. In-law siblings Roxanne (Gary) Allred, Debbie (Gene) Jess, Ginnie (James) Gunkel, Lynette Hall, Kim (David) Stallings, Paige (Sid) Vanderpool and many other loved uncles, aunts, nephews and nieces.
A public Memorial Service will be held at 10 am on January 17th, 2023, at the United Methodist Church in Los Banos.
Tributes
"Rick, There?s so much that could be written here but it?s hard to put everything into words. In the 17 years that I have known you there are some things that I will never forget. You had a knack for making children feel special. Alex and Olivia loved you tremendously. They will miss their spontaneous dates with Papa to get junk food, go to the movies, and shopping. They will miss you racing our car down the street, your barbecues, and the plans you made for new adventures. I will be eternally grateful for the role you played in their lives. I am thankful to you for welcoming me into your family all those years ago. Your silly antics made me laugh and placed me at ease in those early days (something that is not easily done). Thank you for helping to raise two amazing people that mean the world to me, Kris and Kindle. I will remember all the times you made us laugh, how all your attempts at different accents sounded the same, how you announced to an entire bus full of people (including my dad) that Kris and I were trying to get pregnant, and the excitement that you had for your very first grandchild. I once told you I loved you and you said ?are you sure?? and I will answer once more that you are loved and that you are missed. "
"I love you, Ricky. You were a great big brother. You could always make me laugh and I could tell you anything. I'll miss hearing "Hey Bittle, what are you doing ?" everytime you called, your great big hugs and your contagious laughter. I know you are at peace and driving God crazy up in Heaven, but this world is darker without you in it. I love you more than you could ever imagine . I'll make sure Taylor, Emma and Robby remember their crazy uncle Ricky. Rest in God's arms until we see each other again. Love, Bittle (Christine Harden)"
"Memories with Rick will live forever in our hearts ? "