Jimmie Winders

JIMMIE LEON WINDERS

COL., USAF, (RET.)

Jimmie Leon Winders was born November 23, 1944 to Leon and Margret Winders in Amherst, Texas.  He is preceded in death by his father and mother, sister Lynn, and her twin brother Bob Keith who was still born.  Col. Winders' life ended after a tragic aircraft accident near his home in Brighton, CO on September 2, 2020.  Jim is survived by his wife Brenda; step children Adam (Malory), Amy (Tim), and Katie (Steve); grandchildren Gabryel, Isabella, Ryder and Delaney, of Denver, CO; and son Shane, of Austin, TX.

Jim was raised in Clayton, NM and, after high school, he attended Trinidad Junior College in Trinidad, CO. while also working as a draftsman.  In 1965, he decided to join the Wyoming Air National Guard, WYONG, in Cheyenne, WY. and was trained and worked as an aircraft mechanic with the 153rd Airlift Wing/187th Airlift Squadron.  While there, he found his true calling and set his goal of becoming a rated USAF pilot with the WYANG.

In 1967, Jim was commissioned as an officer in the WYANG.  In 1969 he completed USAF Undergraduate Pilot Training and his career path took off.  In 1972 he was hired from his traditional part time Guardsman role to a fulltime Pilot position.  His devotion to flying and the Air National Guard would carry him through many assignments, tours of duty, and promotions.  In all, Col. Winders had over 31 years of service including assignments in various ANG flying units (WYANG, DCANG, COANG); with the National Guard Bureau of the United States (NGB) at the Pentagon; ANG Readiness Center on Andrews Airforce Base; as well as at Air Mobility Command located at Scott AFB, IL.  While completing his military career, Jim flew numerous aircraft to include the T-37, T-38, T-29, C-121, C-131, VC-131H, O-2B, B-26, F-104, RF-4, F-16, T-33, T-43 (B-737), C-22 (B-727), and C-130.  In all, Jim accumulated over 8,000 hours of military flight time.  He also attained many significant awards to include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Achievement Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, Air Force Organizational Excellence Award, Combat Readiness Medal, among many others.  Further, one of Col. Winders proudest assignments was to return as the Wing Commander in 1988 to the 153rd. Airlift Wing, WYANG, back in Cheyanne, WY, and, flying the C-130H aircraft with its firefighting mission.

Jim’s last military assignment was at the Pentagon from which he retired on June 30, 1997, but Jim’s flying career was not over.  Indeed, he turned his love of flying to commercial aviation to start his coveted airline flying career.  Specifically, he flew as a Captain with Peoples Express Airlines, Western Pacific Airlines, and finally at Frontier Airlines, culminating his career as the Boeing Fleet Manager which brought him permanently back to his beloved New Mexico, Wyoming and Colorado roots in retirement.  Still not ready to retire, Jim continued to flight test and ferry used B-737 literally around the world for several more years.

Jim also had a spirit of adventure and a penchant for quality workmanship.  He had many hobbies and interests including horse training, auto restoration, boating, snowmobiling at his beloved mountain cabin, and general aviation.  He lived on an airpark, and was very involved in the community serving as the HOA president and on the runway committee.  At his Brighton home, he built a huge hangar to house his two aircraft, one of which he built from a kit.  It was a highly polished, pristine, T-51 Mustang, a smaller replica of the venerable P-51 Mustang which he named “Gentleman Jim”.  Jim received the EAA Workmanship Award for this aircraft when he flew it to Oshkosh, WI for the annual Air Venture Airshow.  It stands as a testament to his high standards of workmanship.  His love of boating, as well as his close friendships, prompted him to buy a home on Table Rock lake in Branson, MO.  He spent much of his retirement enjoying the lake and spending time with friends and family.  Jim loved the lake so much, he married Brenda at a lakeside ceremony on September 16, 2017.  In his free time, Jim also very much enjoyed the fall season by helping close friends in Iowa with their harvest activities.  Jim touched so many lives through his career and travels.  He had so many close friendships, it is easy to see why Jim will be sorely missed by all whom he met and helped, worked with, or simply played with.  Jim regularly told Brenda he felt so lucky to be able to wake up every day and love what he did his entire life.

Jimmie Leon Winders will be laid to rest at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Denver, CO with full military honors and a military fly over on October 1, 2020 at 1:30 PM.  In lieu of flowers you are invited to make a contribution to Folds of Honor in his memory.

Please share memories and condolences for Jim by signing the tribute wall.

Due to Covid-19 restrictions our family invites and welcomes everyone to attend the funeral and military honors service live, by using the following virtual link:

https://bxcited.com/jimmiewinders/