Barry Winters

Barry was born in Jamestown, New York.  He grew up there and in Fredonia, Pennsylvania, then moved to Fairport, New York where he finished high school and then attended Rochester Institute of Technology.  He earned his bachelor’s degree in Photographic Fine Arts, but more importantly, was a strong member of the RIT debate team, competing throughout the area.  He made lifelong friends through that time.  He earned his Masters Degree at the University of Oregon in Communications and Speech Pathology, then taught at the university level for several years.  After a relocation to Phoenix, he moved into the field of training and development, where he worked in that field for the AZ Dept. of Corrections, Arizona Public Service and AZ Dept. of Economic Security’s Department of Administration.  After personal computers began hitting homes and workplaces, he self-taught his way to a high level of expertise and finished his career at DES managing computer networks including hundreds of PCs.  He loved his work throughout his life and took great pride in it.

In 1979, he met his wife Phyllis and they married the following year.  They enjoyed many long years of being best friends.  Barry retired in 2004 and soon became interested in the world of amateur radio.  He had great fun with his fellow “hams” both in Phoenix and in Oregon where he had a summer home for many years.  He adored his step-daughter and granddaughters, and greatly valued and enjoyed his friends in both states.  Barry would admit to being a bit of a curmudgeon, which was mostly due to his high ideals for himself and the world.  He was generous to others in need and was deeply thankful for what he himself had.  He was intellectual and funny, and will be missed by many.

Barry was preceded in death by his Mother Betsy and his step-father Anson.  He is survived by his wife Phyllis, daughter Jennifer, and granddaughters Kenn and Nora.

A celebration of life will take place this summer in his beloved Newport, Oregon. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Agua Fria Food Bank.