John Thomas Winters

STAUNTON, VA… John Thomas Winters, 66, passed away peacefully on Friday night, June 17, 2016, after being diagnosed with brain and lung cancer in August.  Mr. Winters was originally from New York City and he lived in Staunton since 1990, working as an optician and then later as a truck driver. He loved history, especially military history, and politics.  He was always reading books and watching documentaries and constantly learning and studying new things.  Over the years, he collected hundreds of atlases and books covering many topics and could tell you what every single book was about.  He also had a long time love of strategy and war games, starting with playing Risk as a child.  This developed into playing everything from chess to complicated tabletop war games to multiple player computer games. He is survived by his ex-wife Susan; three daughters, Suzanne, Victoria and Jacqueline; his mother, Virginia; two brothers, Richie and Robert; three sisters, Carol, Beth and Marguerite and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his father, John; a brother, Jimmy; and a sister, Bernadette.          The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Thursday, June 23, 2016 at Henry Funeral Home as they celebrate the life of John and all that he accomplished. Memorials may be made to the American Lung Association, 9702 Gayton Road #110, Richmond, VA 23238.