MSG (Ret) Carl J. Winningham Jr.

Carl J. Winningham, Jr., son of the late Carl Lonzo Winningham and Delma Claudene (Vineyard) Winningham, was born September 12, 1932, in Blackwater, Missouri. As a young boy, Carl grew up in Lexington, Lafayette County, Missouri and attended school. During his early days of school, Carl was in the Boy Scouts and one of his fellow boys’ scouts was Ike Skelton who became a United States Representative for Missouri. At the age of 16, Carl entered the United States Army and spent two years in the service during the Korean Conflict. At the age of 20, he was honorably discharged and decided to re-enlist in 1961 after having trouble finding a job. Carl retired from the Unites States Army in 1986 after a total of 33 years of service to his country. For his faithful service, Carl was awarded several awards and commendations; some of which include: National Defense Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Vietnam Service Medal with 2 Bronze Service Stars, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon-3rd Award, Vietnam Campaign Medal with 60 Device, Meritorious Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Commendation Medal, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation, Army Good Conduct Medal-9th Award, Non-commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon-3rd Level, Driver Badge, Korea Service Medal with 1 Bronze Service Star, United Nations Service Medal, Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, Expert Qualification Badge M-14, and Sharpshooter Qualification Badge Carbine. He had attained the rank of Master Sergeant. While serving in France, Carl met a young lady by the name of Paulette Marie Gaudet. He met her at the Post Exchange and decided that was the woman he was going to marry, and they did on February 3, 1962, in Nancy, France after Carl met the approval of Paulette’s family. After retiring from the military, Carl continuing serving his country as a civil service employee. He started working at a AAFES gas station and then began driving a water truck around the ranges, which in his opinion was the best job. After living in France and Germany for a total of 17 ½ years, Carl and Paulette came to Fort Leonard Wood in 1980 and in February 2002, he retired from civil service. Carl always said that one of the best decisions he ever made was joining the United States Army. He was proud of his service as a soldier and a civil service employee. One of the toughest times of Carl’s life was on April 1, 2017, when Paulette passed away. Never thinking that he would find love again, he was blessed to find love again with Cheryl Ann Hammock and they were united in marriage on October 11, 2018, in Waynesville, Missouri. They shared many wonderful memories together and were blessed with three years together. In his young years, Carl enjoyed hunting and fishing, but he jokingly would say that when he retired from the military, he left his gun at Fort Leonard Wood and never killed anything again. He was a member of the Francis J. Lynch VFW Post #3168 in Laquey, American Legion, and the Harry Heron Disabled American Veteran’s Chapter No. 49 of Waynesville. Many times, Carl would reflect on his early years when it was tough to get a job and couldn’t get any credit, and it caused him to be proud of the fact that he saved his money and was finally able to buy a brand-new car. Carl passed away Sunday, July 17, 2022, in the Harry S. Truman VA Hospital of Columbia, Missouri having attained the age of 89 years. He will be sadly missed, but fondly remembered by all those that knew and loved him. He leaves to cherish his memory, his wife: Cheryl Winningham of the home; two sisters-in-law: Joyce Hammock of the home and Pam Smith (Ron) of St. Robert, MO; five brothers-in-law: Cliff Hammock (Tammy) of Claremont, FL, Danny Hammock of St. Robert, MO, Bill Hammock (Rhonda) of St. Robert, MO, Mark Hammock of St. Robert, MO, and Gary Hammock (Jennifer) of St. Robert, MO; several nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Carl Winningham, Jr. and may be left at Memorial Chapels and Crematory of Waynesville / St. Robert.

MSG (Ret) Carl J. Winningham Jr.

September 12, 1932 - July 17, 2022