Roland Frederick Winters, Jr

Roland F. Winters, Jr Lived an Amazing Life: September 20, 1942 - May 3, 2024

 It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Roland F. Winters, Jr. Our loss is heaven’s gain. Roland lived his life to the fullest and lived like it was his last day every day. He was diagnosed with Becker's Muscular Dystrophy at the age of nine.  The doctor advised Roland’s parents, Doris Dupont Winters & Roland F. Winters, Sr, that he would only live until the age of eighteen. Roland proved him wrong and lived to eighty-one. The oldest of four siblings, Wayne, June, and Geraldine.  Roland was born in Jersey City, NJ and the family relocated from Teaneck to Newton, NJ in 1959. Roland graduated in 1960 from Newton High School and graduated in 1964 from German School of Photography in downtown Manhattan, NYC.  He loved riding his motorcycle and taking pictures.  He worked for a local photography store in Newton and later started his own Photography Business, Winters Photos.  He shared his knowledge and love of photography with his youngest sister, Geraldine Winters and his niece, Kim Nicolais.  

In 1965, Roland relocated to Whittier, CA and started a long career of thirty-two years as the Photo Lab Supervisor at Hughes Aircraft in Fullerton. During this time, he met Howard Hughes. He worked Full-Time at Hughes and had his Winters Photos Business.  He worked nights and weekends taking beautiful pictures for Weddings.  Roland married Carroll Elaine York in 1970 in Las Vegas at the Little Chapel of the West. He enjoyed people and was the life of the party. He earned an Associate Degree from Fullerton College and Bachelor of Arts Degree from California State University Fullerton. Roland served the Handicap Community for the City of Placentia, CA. In 2008, Roland and Carroll retired to Surprise, AZ where he served as HOA board member for Arizona Traditions. Roland served as the District 1 Councilmember for the City of Surprise for nine years, working towards his goal of Surprise being a place where residents could “live, get educated, work and play.”  He served as Vice Mayor & Councilman for the city and in 2013-2018, voted for wage increases for the Firemen & Police, until his health had deteriorated. Roland loved to take road trips, take pictures, and attend his Handicapped Travel Events. Roland was an inspiration to all. 

Roland never stopped working and didn’t complain about his disability or let it hold him back. He even went skydiving. His family looked up to him as a hardworking man.

Roland leaves behind a loving wife of 54 Years, Carroll; four children, David (Gina), Donald (Barb), Nancy, and Jennifer; seven grandchildren: Ashley (Samuel), Kevin, Jacob (Brooklyn), Kaitlyn, Joshua, Kenneth (Eliya), and Melinda; two great-grandchildren: Zeke, and a baby due in October. Five nephews and five nieces. One nephew greeted him in heaven.  His brother Wayne (Ann), San Diego, CA., sister June Nicholais, (predeceased, husband Jimmy, and son Vincent), Blairstown, NJ, and sister, Geraldine, Placentia, CA.

His family will miss him dearly but is excited about joining him and the other family in our final resting place.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Chance Shelter in Surprise, AZ on behalf of Roland. Chace Shelter is a No Kill Animal Shelter servicing Surprise, Arizona. The family loved the companionship of their family dogs, Champ, Amy, Buster, and Skippy. Donate (paypal.com)