Dan & Linda Winter performing at the Wilmore Opry, 2003.Daniel Calvin Winter was born August 5, 1939 on a ranch near Bakersfield, California. My parents were Clarence Elmer Winter, born in Sherman, Texas, April 19 1902 and Roma Esther (Petty) Winter born in Petty, Texas born August 10, 1904.
Dan has 2 brothers Sam and Gene Winter and 1 sister Velda Botts who live in Medicine Lodge, Ks. Esther Childress, deceased, Stockton,Ca. Francis Enox, Vacaville, Ca. Gloria Smith, Mt. Ida, Ark. Evelyn Ayers, Tucson, Arizona. and many cousins in Kansas.
Malinda Kay 'Ruth' Winter was born April 13, 1946 in Richmond California to Floyd R. Ruth and Vivian A. (Williams) Ruth. The family's history is listed under Floyd and Vivian Ruth in Comanche County History, Vol. II.
Dan's paternal grandfather Samuel Wilburn Winter was born 1876 on a ranch near Sherman, Texas. His paternal grandmother was born Ollie (Barnes) Winter near Hugo, Oklahoma.
Dan's maternal grandfather was born Andrew Petty on a farm now known as Petty, Texas, which is near Paris, Texas. His maternal grandmother was born Molly (Reynolds) Petty on a ranch near Paris, Texas.
Linda and I were married January 31, 1964 in the First Baptist Church in Hayward, California. We have 4 children, Felecia Mae 'Winter' Burrous in Galeton, Pa. Bruce Duane Winter in Cool, California, Vivian Danette Winter in Dallas, Texas, Daniel Winter Jr., deceased.
After we had been married a while we moved to Tucson, Arizona. Dan had acquired a job with BMW and Saab automobiles as a automotive technician.
Ten years later Dan transferred to Richardson, Texas with BMW and Ferrari automobiles where Dan took the position of automotive technical leader and instructor. He taught mechanics and diagnostics to apprentice technicians.
Dan was accredited in automotive technical schools. He held managers positions. He also held top marks in automotive excellence. Dan also received high marks in all 8 certifications with N.I.A.S.E. in diagnostics and excellence in service and repair. He received his credentials at Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas.
Linda has had training in management and business. She has managed a business in Plano, Texas. Linda has also been a warranty clerk for a General Motors dealership. She also worked at an Antique shop in Tucson, Arizona as a buyer and restorer of fine Antiques.
In 1980 we came to Comanche County to visit family. We wound up buying a house here a year later. We moved to Wilmore in 1981 and shortly after opened a small automotive repair shop. Linda and I also drove 18 wheelers part of the years to help with our income.
Linda and I have had a full and adventurous life. We certainly enjoy living in Comanche County. We no longer run a shop or drive trucks. These days you will find us having fun at the Wilmore Opry and enjoying time out at Lake Coldwater. We now have more time to enjoy our friends and neighbors.
I guess Linda and I have always enjoyed life. Working, playing and even driving trucks together.
Writings by Dan and Linda Winter
L-R: Dan Winter, Linda Winter, Jeanne Schiff and Daryl Schiff at a Wilmore Opry show
Photo courtesy of Rick Sabral.
Linda Winter, one of the most beloved people in Comanche County, Kansas, for the work she has done with her husband, Dan Winter, to establish and produce The Wilmore Opry, has recently had some health problems. Linda Winter Is Doing Fine!
The good news, as reported in the latest
Wilmore Opry News , 20 Jan 2006, is that Linda "will be fine in the future" and is grateful for the prayers and letters from people who are concerned about her and Dan.Please address your "Get Well" cards and letters to:
Linda and Dan Winter
1502 E. Grovers
Phoenix, Az. 85022.
Also see:
Floyd R. & Vivian A. (Williams) Ruth
Wilmore Opry History
Wilmore Opry Performers & Family
Wilmore Opry News
Wilmore Opry Photos
Thanks to Dan & Linda Winter for contributing the above family history to this web site and to David Rose and Rick Sabral for the photographs!
This RootsWeb website is being created by HTML Guy Jerry Ferrin with the able assistance of many Contributors. Your comments, suggestions and contributions of historical information and photographs to this site are welcome. Please sign the Guest Book. This page was last updated 24 December 2006.