John Sherman Winter

John Winter was tragically killed when a car struck him after running up on the curb in front of St. John’s Hospital in Oxnard, where John was waiting. He was 58.

John grew up in the Willow Glen neighborhood of Santa Barbara, with many friends who found him creative in his leadership in their activities. His teachers appreciated his intelligence and his sense of humor that never crossed the line into class disruption. He was always popular for his warm and generous ways with people.

John attended San Marcos High School and had a successful freshman year at UCLA, but returned home that summer with symptoms that led to a diagnosis of severe mental illness. The symptoms from his illness cut short most of the hopes and plans John had for his future, but he dealt with them with much courage, and his relationship with his family remained strong.

His family, grieving our loss of our beloved John, are Jan Winter mother, in Santa Barbara; Sarah Winter, sister and her husband Panos Zagouras and daughter Alexia in Connecticut; John’s aunt Lynn Nichols, cousins Rod and John Nichols and Lee Nichols Naftali, all of Santa Barbara. John’s father Don Winter lives in Topanga.

A memorial service for John was held at the Fellowship Club at the Mental Wellness Center by his friends and staff there on September 26. The family is grateful for the loving service put on by John’s friends and staff there, and for the four past years when John occupied a comfortable apartment at the Mental Wellness Center building on Garden Street.

Donations in John Winter’s name may be made to the Mental Wellness Center, 617 Garden Street, Santa Barbara 93101 c/o the John Winter Memorial Fund.