Herschel Clyde Winn passed away Tuesday, May 17, 2016, in Irving.
The service celebrating Herschel's life is 4 p.m. Monday, May 23, 2016, at First United Methodist Church, of Fort Worth. Interment will follow at 12:30 p.m. at Grandview Cemetery, in Grandview. Visitation is 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, May 22, 2016, at Greenwood Funeral Home
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Herschel's memory may be made to First United Methodist Church of Fort Worth, 800 W. Fifth St., Fort Worth, Texas 76102; or the Texas Health Resources Foundation for the Celia Winn Spaans Family Support Room, Box 200038, Arlington, Texas 76006.
Herschel was born in Grandview on Dec. 14, 1931, to Alta Fay and Herschel Clyde Winn, Sr. He graduated from Grandview High School in 1948 at the age of 16. From 1953 to 1955, he served with the U.S. Army in England as a court reporter. After he returned home, he completed his B.B.A. in 1958 followed by his L.L.B. in 1960, both at The University of Texas. While attending law school, he met Carolyn Martin, a UT student, and they married in June of 1961.
After working for the Texas Highway Department and International Service Insurance Company, he was appointed Johnson County Judge in April of 1964 at the age of 32. In Nov. 1968, he was hired by Tandy Corporation in Fort Worth as the company's first in-house attorney. He retired in Nov. 1997 after 29 years of service as senior vice president and secretary. During his career, he was active in community and professional organizations including the Burleson Lions Club (president), Burleson Chamber of Commerce, State Junior Bar of Texas (director), North Texas Council of Governments (vice president), The Van Cliburn Foundation (treasurer), Fort Worth Convention and Visitors Bureau (director), and the First United Methodist Church of both Burleson and Fort Worth. In 2010 he was honored by the State Bar of Texas as a “50 Year Lawyer.”
Although the “facts” about Herschel are evidence of a life well lived, it is the “intangibles” that will leave a mark on those that knew and loved him. His honesty, integrity, work ethic, negotiation skills, attention to detail, and tenacity were legendary…just ask any of his former employees who worked more than a few all-nighters with him. He was fiercely loyal to Tandy Corporation, where he worked for 29 years. Described as the “conscience of the corporation,” he was known as a staunch advocate for ethical conduct during his tenure.
More than one person might describe Herschel as “thrifty.” In the fiscal sense, that was true, but he was extravagant with his love for his family. He spent most of his life chasing after blonde headed women…Carolyn, as well as his two daughters, Celia, born in 1962, followed by Macey, in 1963, and later on his five granddaughters. A devoted and proud husband, Herschel loved Carolyn and the life they built together. He was an attentive and involved father, never wasting an opportunity to teach his daughters the value of hard work, respect for authority, importance of lifelong friendships, qualities of a strong leader, commitment to the church, and most of all, the meaning of unconditional love. His five granddaughters were also the beneficiaries of his sharp wit, love of travel, generous spirit, appreciation of a good meal, sense of humor, and bottom line…his presence in their lives.
Herschel was preceded in death by his parents, Herschel and Alta Winn; wife of 53 years, Carolyn Winn; and daughter, Celia Winn Spaans; his brother, Gerald Winn; and sister, Marcheta Henson.
Survivors include his daughters, Macey Conradt and husband, Woody, and Cheryl and David Spaans; granddaughters, Samantha Spaans Cast and husband, Brett, Lyndi Conradt, Shannon Spaans, Holly Conradt and Stacey Spaans; nieces, Jan Gibbons and husband, David, and Brenda Bowman and husband, Tom; nephews, Randy Winn, and wife, Imelda, and Ricky Winn; and numerous other relatives and friends.
Greenwood Funerals-Cremation, in Fort Worth, is handling the arrangements.
817-336-058