Mr. James �Uncle James� W. Winkler, age 74, of Fernandina Beach passed away on Thursday evening, March 2, 2017 at his home while surrounded by his family.
Born in Richmond, KY he was the last living of eight children born to the late Elbert James and Olive Bolland Winkler. As a young child his family moved to Jacksonville with his father�s career in the Mining Industry. Growing up in Jacksonville, Mr. Winkler attended Terry Parker High School. After high school he was drafted into the United States Marine Corps where he served 2 years in Vietnam. Upon being honorably discharged he returned home to Jacksonville where he worked for a short time with the Duval County School Board. He later joined Maxwell House Coffee in Jacksonville where he remained until retiring as a Can Maker in 2002.
In the mid 1980s, James was living, working and worshipping in Jacksonville. While attending a combined church service at The Lighthouse Tabernacle in Fernandina Beach he met and fell in love with Fernandina Beach native, Marie Thornton. In 1985 they united their lives and became the love of each other�s life. They lived in Jacksonville until moving to the island in 1987.
If you knew James, you knew the things that made him happy: his love of fishing, yardwork, piddling outside, time spent with his grandchildren, willingness to serve others and his work for the Church.
He and his wife have been longtime faithful members of The Lighthouse Tabernacle where Mr. Winkler was a Lay Minister, Deacon and delivery man of the church�s Friday Bar be Que dinners.
He lives behind his wife, Marie �Aunt Rie� Thornton Winkler, Fernandina Beach, FL, children, James Martin Winkler, Joshua Milton Winkler, Lynn Luke (Thomas), all of Jacksonville, four grandchildren, four great grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews and his loving dog �Patches�.
Funeral services will be at 11:00 am on Wednesday, March 8, 2017 in the Burgess Chapel of Oxley Heard with Pastor Charles Leavitt, officiating.
Mr. Winkler will be laid to rest in Jacksonville National Cemetery where military honors will be accorded.
His family will receive friends on Tuesday from 5:00 � 7:00 pm at Oxley Heard.