Donald Winters Ltc, U.S. Army (Ret)

HAMILTON - Donald L. Winters, LTC, U. S. Army (Retired) passed away after a brief stay at the Marcus Daly Hospice in Hamilton, Montana on Sunday, February 19, 2012 after a long bout with multiple myeloma.

Don was born on July 26, 1932 in Williamsport PA to Esther M. and Frank S. Winters. He attended Williamsport and South Williamsport schools graduating from South Williamsport High School in 1950. He attended both Lycoming College and Pennsylvania State University before receiving an appointment to the United States Military Academy. Don was member of the USMA Class of 1957 graduating in June of that year. Subsequent to graduation Don attended the Field Artillery Basic Course followed by Airborne qualification and Army Aviation flight training.

Retiring in June 1983 Don had a long and varied career that included assignments in Alaska, Republic of Vietnam as well as several in the United States. While stationed in Olathe, Kansas, Don met and later married his life long partner, Mary E. Montis. Don and Mary would have celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in July 2012.

Following in the footsteps of his father, Don was an avid fisherman and hunter pursuing exotic species of fish and game around the world. While inhibited a bit by military service he was proud to have achieved one-half a grand slam of mountain sheep and well as taking a trophy elk at a relatively young age. Don's interest gradually shifted to fly fishing for Atlantic Salmon Steelhead and Sea Run Brown Trout that lead to travel to Iceland, Russia, South America and Northern British Columbia. Don was also a serious game bird hunter with pointing dogs, one of the many reasons Montana became their retirement destination upon his departure from the Army.

Don always had an unusual interest in doing income taxes so upon retirement, Don pursued that inclination by doing tax returns for friends and neighbors and eventually taking the H.R. Block course in Missoula. He then worked for Charles McCartney in Hamilton for several years before becoming involved with the AARP Tax-Aide program. Don supervised the local Tax-Aide program in Hamilton and Stevensville for 11 years before the ravages of multiple myeloma prompted him to retire. Don will be forever grateful for the guidance and assistance in the tax business of Charles McCartney, Oscar Ekstrom and James Humphreys.

Don is survived by his wife, Mary, and son, James, of San Francisco.

Cremation has already taken place. At the request of the deceased there are no services planned. Condolences may be left for the family at www.dalyleachchapel.com.