Dan was born in Roe, Arkansas a little town near Searcy, in 1935. Dan was the son of a carpenter who moved his family many times during the years, including stops in Sidon, AR and Manchester, TN. In Sidon, Dan began working at a grocery store, at 9 years of age, to help his mother make ends meet. Dan spent his high school years in Manchester, attending Hillsborough and Manchester schools.
Dan joined the United States Navy during the Korean War, in 1952. After basic training in San Diego, CA, he served on two mine sweepers, the Pluck, and the Firm, patrolling the Pacific from the West Coast to Hong Kong.
In 1956, Dan returned to Memphis and worked for Myers Brothers Drug Co. He then became an apprentice in Sheet Metal Local #4 in 1959.
Dan met Nadie Garrison after going on a blind date arranged by their best friends. On February 17, 1961 were married. They bought their first home in May 1962; that August, they welcomed their daughter Laurie. Dan and Nadie stayed in that same home for 61 happy years, raising their daughter and opening their home to his mother in-law, Mary Frank Garrison and two nephews, Michael and Terry Davis.
Dan was an active member of Sheet Metal Local #4 for 33 years, including a stint from 1976-1980 as Financial Secretary for the union. He maintained his membership in Local #4 for 60 years.
After retiring from sheet metal work in 1992, Dan served for 20 years as Officer of Elections for Shelby County Elections at his home precinct in East Memphis.
At age 70, Dan returned to the workforce and worked for FedEx Express for the next eight years. He also worked annually for the FedEx-St. Jude golf tournament, Racquet Club Tennis tournament, and election commission early voting. He had a great work ethic and doing his best every day; he finally retired in 2013.
Dan was an avid boater, fisherman, hunter, and bowler. His circle of friends included Danny Mangum, Harold Johnson, Steve Atwill and many more. His favorite place to spend time with friends and family was Greers Ferry Lake, AR. He built the family compound with hard work and the desire to leave something special to his daughter and grandchildren.
Dan always had a smile on his face; he was happy, upbeat, loved his wife, his family and friends. He was known for his “killer” smile and eyes that lit up the room. Dan was loud, loving, larger-than-life and never met a stranger.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer E. and Della Kennedy Winton, and his siblings, Mildred, Wayne, Elbert, John, Frank, Bob, Betty, and Ronald.
Dan is survived by: one sister, Helen W. Easley of Memphis, his wife, Nadie G. Winton of Memphis, daughter, Laurie W. Mudd (Dean) of Apollo Beach, FL, nephews Michael W. Davis (Cindy) of Germantown and Terry H. Davis (Dana) of Lake Cormorant, MS, grandchildren, Lindsey R. Mudd of Apollo Beach, Fl, and Shelbey M. Upchurch (Christian) of Chattanooga, and great-grandchildren, Corbin Mudd and Jane Upchurch. Dan leaves many nieces and nephews that lovingly refer to him as Paw Paw or Uncle Dan.
A visitation will be from 1 to 2pm with the funeral service for Dan to follow on Sunday, December 18, 2022 from 2 to 3pm at Family Funeral Care, 4925 Summer Ave, Memphis, TN 38122. Burial will take place on Monday, December 19th at 10:30am at Academy Baptist Church Cemetery in Blue Mountain, MS.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.FamilyFuneralMemphis.com for the Winton family.
