Gerald C. “Jerry” Winters

What a sweet sweet man. What a blessed life. I always loved visiting Mr. Winters. He was guaranteed to talk about our high school softball years, and who doesn’t want to relive the glory days!

Peace to you and your family, Melissa.

He was a wonderful teacher instilling the love of music in every student plus many others. May he rest in peace.

Mr. Winters, it was an honor to have you as my band director!!! I learned so very much about music & life from you. You were a soft spoken gentleman who truly loved his craft and all things surrounding music. Still to this day I think of you and tell the stories of when we were sharing the same place on this rock. You made a difference, you still make a difference, and you were unique. God Bless you and your family. Now you and Mike M. can jam again in the heavens!!! Tom Spencer, the crazy trumpet player Holt graduated of1985.

Mr. Winters was my band teacher and director for my years at Holt High School. I played percussion and graduated in the mid-70’s, which would have been a trying time for any instructor in any High School. Mr. Winters showed me much more grace and patience than I deserved. All fond memories. Rest in Peace, Mr. Winters.

Oh Melissa. I’m so sorry to hear of this. He was a great man who contributed more to his community and helped so many. I know you and your family will miss him. We are praying for you and your family as you grieve the loss of your father.

So sorry to hear about the passing of Mr. Winters. I had the pleasure of meeting and interviewing him several years ago about the history of Holt Bands for a history I was writing. As a member of the SMB at the time, we also connected about the history of the Michigan State Band and Leonard Falcone during our talk. He left an immense impact on the community, and on me in that one visit. Extending sincere condolences and thoughts to the Winters family.

My father, Ron Allen, and Mr. Winters were such good friends during their time teaching at Holt. They had this running joke between them that went for years. There was a magazine ad for podiums with a pompous, arrogant man conducting and they would secretly hide that ad where the other would least expect it. It would show up in dad’s piano bench or in sheet music that he would play from during a concert, in his briefcase and on and on. The funny thing was that neither of them ever said a word to the other about it. They both shared that sense of humor. I think of Mr. Winters and Holt High School Band as one and the same. He was a fine teacher and a good human being. Our condolences to his family!

Mr. Winters was the best teacher. I learned so much from him about music and kindness and believing in yourself. I became a band teacher because of him. I’m so sorry to hear of his passing. Rest in peace always.

What a great person he was! I leader music from him- what a gift that was.

Mr. Winters was a very kind man and a dedicated teacher. Everyone who knew him is a little better for the experience.

Mr. Winters was an outstanding band director and my favorite teacher! So kind and always smiling. He made such an impact on my life, as I know he did for so many others.

So sorry to hear of Mr Winters passing. I played in band for 7 years and had so many great memories performing for Jerry Winters. Mr Winters had a mild way of getting g the best performance for “his” kids without so much as raising his voice. From our Marching Band, Band Day at MSU, parades, State Competitions, and record productions, we always wanted to perform our best for our Leader. I still have our 2 record albums produced in 64 and 65 that I occasionally play and reminisce about the great times we had. Semper Fi Mr Winters.

Mr. Winters was my first band teacher. He taught me with kindness and patience. He gave me a love of music and I am forever grateful. Praying for his family and friends.

Ron and I were so lucky to have Gerry as a neighbor and friend for many years. His kindness, thoughtfulness and dry sense of humor made him a delight to be around. We loved his stories, like the one about canoeing the Red Cedar with Margaret, or the one where he brought a misbehaving kid home from school, and made the kid sit on the sofa and wait for Gerry to have his lunch!
He was truly one of the finest human beings we have ever known. Our condolences to all his family, and we hope your memories of Gerry will be a comfort to you.

Jerry was my band teacher from 6th grade on through Holt High School. I loved playing in the band and loved being a part of the marching band. Jerry was also my neighbor and friend for many years. I loved going over to his house and talking with him. He is such an interesting person to visit with and his mind was always sharp. I liked to take dinners over to him and of course I loved it when he said I was a great cook! Sometimes he would go out to breakfast with my Dad and I.
Jerry never complained about anything, even when his sight was deteriorating.
The last time I saw him, I called him to see if I could stop over to visit. He said he had moved into a care facility in Okemos. I went to there to visit him and we had a nice chat.
I am so sorry I did not get back to see him again. I will always admire Jerry for being a great band director and a kind, loving person. As I read the comments I see that he touched many people in many positive ways. Jerry I will miss you! Hugs to Melissa , Jerry and the rest of the family.

I was not in band, but as a student at Holt Public Schools I knew of him. I recently got to know Melissa and enjoyed the stories she told about her dad. She truly loved and respected him. My condolences to Melissa and the Winters family. I like to think, your loss is Heavens gain.

My Mom, Dee( Dorothy) went to high school with your Mom, and was part of the May Reunion group through the years. She spoke highly of your Dad. He was always very kind to her and the group. I recall meeting him a few times and he was very personable and gracious. It is difficult to lose a parent, even when they have lived a good, long life. May he rest in peace.

So sorry, your Dad was a great man and will be deeply missed! Praying for you!!

Jerry’s Dad was a very special man. It was so fun to hear Mr. Winters and our Dad tell stories from their past. It was a honor to have known him. We donated in memory of Mr. Winters to the Capital Area Humane Society. Our condolences from Lisa’s family to Mr. Winters family.

My name is Mike Emerson, and I’m the band director at Holt High School currently. I’m very sorry that I never got to meet Jerry in person, but I can assure the family that his legacy lives on here in the rehearsal hall at Holt High School. There are historical photos, plaques, and other items that display his ‘fingerprints’ all over the program.

Deepest condolences to the family. I wish I could be there in person but I’m going to be out of town on the 20th.

Thank you so much, Mr. Winters, for your amazing service to Holt Public Schools and music education. I consider myself truly blessed to be benefitting from all your hard work. All the seeds and seedlings planted during your tenure here are bearing much fruit. You are not forgotten.

“ Now band, Measure 47, Count 1… Be there or Be Square.” Or how about “‘Tweet Tweet Tweet CHAIR”. I wonder how many kid’s lives he influenced. He was so kind. And what a treat when he played for us. There must be a great concert going on in heaven.

My condolences to the family.

Sorry to hear that Jerry died. He was a great teacher and band director. I had him from 6th grade thru 12th.

I student taught under Jerry. He was a great teacher, musician and friend! He also had a wonderful sense of humor. He will be missed…

Mr. Winters was my neighbor growing up and he had such a profound influence on the students and people he met! Although I didn’t get to know him as a teacher. I saw first hand through my sister Nina and my brother Rick, how he influenced and motivated them. They loved being in band and also in the marching band at Holt High School and Jerry was the reason for that. My brother Rick loved Jerry and had a great admiration for his musical knowledge and went on to play music the remainder of his adult life. From the Crane & Havens days back in the early 70’s to playing bluegrass music in Arizona in the 90’s.

My thoughts and prayers go out to Jerry, Melissa and family.

Winters “tribe”
I was just sitting here watching the Saint Patrick’s Day parade live from Dublin, and, as usual I always think of (Margaret/Mrs. Winters) on Saint Patrick’s Day, as I believe it was her favorite.

And that thought of course sparked me to think of, (Jerry/Mr. Winters), and then I found his obituary. And being one of the youngest of the Jeanne and Hall Street gang, I so fondly remember the Halloween’s we would have in our neighborhood and the most exquisitely awesome display and treats that Jerry Winters would have at his house every year on Halloween. The bond our neighborhood shared brings tears to my eyes.
At every one of the concerts I went to as a child, to hear the band as my brother was in it, as was my sister, Margaret would come out and check on my mom and dad and me to see if I had fallen asleep yet. I guess the music that Jerry directed and taught, was very peaceful to me because yes I would fall asleep at every concert. The memories I have, our Little treasures to me. Thanks Jerry