Robert Ray Winters, 82, of Salina, Kansas, passed away on Friday, September 12, 2025.
Born in Caldwell, Idaho, on April 20, 1943, to Audrey (Conant) Winters and Orval Pearl Winters, Robert lived a life rooted in faith, service, and family. After graduating high school at Friends Haviland Academy, he attended Friends Bible College, where he met the love of his life, Mary Beth Sparks. The two were married in Emporia, Kansas in 1965 and shared a devoted partnership for over 60 years.
Robert continued his theological education at Nazarene Theological Seminary in Kansas City, graduating in 1969. He then dedicated his life to ministry, serving faithfully as a pastor in the Friends Church and then United Methodist Church for the majority of his career. His calling was not only a profession but a lifelong mission to bring others to Jesus.
Together, Robert and Mary Beth opened their home and hearts to the world, hosting 12 international high school exchange students and also placing students as coordinators for over thirty years—leaving a lasting impact on young lives across the globe.
An avid outdoorsman, Robert found joy in hunting deer, pheasant, and any other thing that moved. He had a passion for building and maintaining firearms. He passed his love of fishing on to his grandchildren.Robert and Mary Beth shared a spirit of adventure, traveling to Europe, Mexico, Canada, and almost all of the states but their favorite was Colorado. Each year they took family vacations with their four sons and sometimes a niece, camping, hiking, fishing, and enjoying their time together. They especially cherished time spent in their camper, taking their grandchildren on camping trips that created memories to last a lifetime.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Mary Beth; and their four sons: David Winters (Fenny), Eric Winters (Sheri), Greg Winters (Gloria), and Kelvin Winters. He also leaves behind ten cherished grandchildren: Emma, Alisha, Helen, Sarah, Alexandria, Camlann, Blaine, Nate, Micah, and Evie.
Robert was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Gary; and his sister, Sharon.
A memorial service will be held at 10:30 AM on Saturday, September 20th at First Church of the Nazarene, 1425 S Ohio St., Salina, Kansas.
To watch the service live you can visit the link: Live.SFNAZ.comThe family requests that donations be made to First Church of the Nazarene, in care of Carlson-Geisendorf Funeral Home.
To share condolences or memories, please visit www.carlsonfh.net or the funeral home’s Facebook page.