Vernon Fredrick "Capt. Fred" Winters of Port Charlotte went to be with the Lord Dec. 6.
Born Sept. 3, 1946, in Akron, Ohio, to Vernon and Harriet Winters. he lived all over the world as his father spent a lifetime serving in the Army.
Winters himself served 27 years in the U.S. Army Special Forces. He was a decorated veteran withhonors as the Silver Star, Legion of Merit, four Bronze Stars, including one with valor, and two Purple Hearts. He also received 20 medals, four ribbons, five awards, six badges, three citations, and a Special Forces Tab.
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Vernon Fredrick “Capt. Fred” Winters of Port Charlotte
He also held a master's degree in marketing. Capt. Fred spent his last years as a fishing guide and professional angler in the IFA, FLW and ESPN Redfish Cup.
He is survived by his wife, Diane Winters; step-children, Shan Tilly, Sarah and Josh Covington and Sam Tilly; daughters, Jenn Winters and Shine Cardoza; grandchildren, Ian, Ethan, Kiera and Macy; brothers, Dick Winters and and Terry Winters; nephews, Gary Winters and Jason Winters; and nieces, Julie Krebs and Denise Motesheard.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Vernon and Harriet Winters, and step-son Zachary Tilly.
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A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at Lemon Bay Funeral Home Englewood Chapel, 2 Buchans Landing. A military funeral with honors will follow at 1:30 p.m. at Sarasota National Cemetery, 9810 State Road 72.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at Lemon Bay Funeral Home Englewood Chapel, 2 Buchans Landing. A military funeral with honors will follow at 1:30 p.m. at Sarasota National Cemetery, 9810 State Road 72.
