Steve Russell Winters, 63, was born Sept. 28, 1953, to Russell and Rosemary Meier Winters in Watonga. He passed away Monday, Oct. 24, 2016. Steve was baptized and raised in the Immanuel Baptist Church in Loyal. He grew up in the rural community of Loyal where he farmed, raised dairy cattle and was involved in various extracurricular activities. Steve grew up with a devoted interest in sports, particularly baseball and basketball. Aside from athletics, he also kept himself busy showing dairy cattle at the local, state and even the national level. Steve was an active member of the Lomega FFA chapter and his hard work was recognized as he was a recipient of the State FFA Degree and the American FFA Degree. In addition to being involved in school activities, Steve also had many responsibilities around the family farm. That lifestyle instilled in him a strong work ethic. He and his brothers, Scott and Stan, spent many late nights hauling hay and doing whatever was needed around the farm. In 1971, Steve graduated from Lomega High School. From there he achieved a bachelor’s degree in animal science from Oklahoma State University in 1975. On Dec. 28, 1974, he married his high school sweetheart, Rhonda Lea Castonguay. Rhonda and Steve have three beautiful children; Alecia, Lindsay and Nathan. After growing up in the Lomega school district, Steve and Rhonda raised their children in the same school and now their grandchildren attend Lomega Schools. Steve was a proud supporter of the education and opportunities Lomega Schools provided and in an effort to continue the school’s success, he became the founder of the Lomega Educational Academic Foundation (LEAF). Steve’s careers did not take him far from rural Oklahoma or the agriculture industry. Early on he made a living farming and raising dairy cows. From there he served the Kingfisher County Conservation District as a manager 11 years. Then, from 2002 to 2008, he was involved with governmental sales at P&K Equipment John Deere and from 2008 through 2016 Steve was employed by Warren CAT as a governmental salesman. He enjoyed a wide array of pastimes. Steve hardly missed a chance to tailgate at an OSU football game. He loved to entertain guests and often fulfilled this hobby by cooking for big events and functions. He also loved the outdoors and enjoyed numerous hunting trips with friends. He gave back to the community by volunteering at school functions, speech contests, and career development events. However, attending his grandkids’ baseball and basketball games was always a top priority. He attended almost all of their games, from the time they were in elementary school all the way to the state tournament. Steve and Rhonda never missed a chance to travel and cruises seemed to be their trip of choice. They had the opportunity to see breathtaking views of places like St. Lucia, St. Kits, Grand Turks, Half Moon Cay, Aruba, Jamaica, Bahamas, Grand Cayman and the Dominican Republic. However, one of their most memorable cruises was with their entire family in July 2013. Steve also enjoyed attending concerts such as Eric Church, George Strait and ZZ Top, just to name a few. He also loved his new cocker spaniel, Chocko. Chocko was his loyal companion while he recently spent many long days in the house. Steve had an awe-inspiring presence that captured people’s attention wherever he went. His personality would instantly fill a room and there was hardly a person he met who did not leave with a smile on their face and a good feeling in their heart. He was always the life of the party and there is no doubt he enjoyed life to his fullest. He is survived by his wife Rhonda Winters of Kingfisher; daughter Alecia Duffy and husband Dusty of Loyal; daughter Lindsay Eaton and husband Kris of Kingfisher; son Nathan Winters and wife Camryn of Jenks; brother Scott Winters and wife Debbie of Kingfisher; brother Stan Winters and wife Kay of Hitchcock; sister RoseAnn Teel and husband Lonnie of Anthony, Kan.; mother Rosemary Winters of Hitchcock; mother-in-law Evelyn Castonguay of Omega; brother-in-law Perry Castonguay and wife Karen of Omega; grandchildren Hailey, Emma and Owen Duffy, Hensley and Kamebridge Eaton, Krosby Winters, and numerous nieces and nephews. Steve is preceded in death by his father Russell Winters; grandparents “Peach” and Ted Meier and Larma and H.H. Winters; and father-in-law Raymond Castonguay. Steve’s celebration of life will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 27 at the First Baptist Church in Kingfisher. Steve will then be laid to rest at the Kingfisher Cemetery under the direction of Huber-Benson Funeral Home, El Reno. In lieu of flowers the family requests all donations be made to the Lomega Educational Academic Foundation at 18319 North 2700 Road, Omega, OK 73764.
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