Robert T Winfree

The night of September 4, 2026, St. Peter was working the late shift. It was almost shift change when he had the honor of opening the pearly gates to let in a special soul. Robert T. Winfree, age 94, peacefully passed away at his home in Vail, Arizona, where he had lived with family members for the previous two-plus years. Robert was the last surviving child of the 12 children born to Simon and Clara Winfree.

Robert Torrence Winfree (Bob) was born in Nashville, Illinois, on June 6, 1932, to Simon and Clara Winfree. Having been born at the start of The Depression, he and his six siblings all helped in the family’s ice and coal business. By the age of 10, Bob’s father recognized his penchant for numbers and assigned him the duty of tracking all company finances.

At the tender age of 16, with his mother’s consent, he fibbed by one year on his application and enlisted in the army. He was stationed in Japan until the outbreak of the Korean War. Then with the war going on, he was attached to the 1st Calvary as a M.A.S.H. ambulance driver. After being honorably discharged at the age of 18, he found himself working on a seismograph crew in the oilfields of Colorado.

One evening while enjoying his dinner at a small cafe in Craig, Colorado, Bob began flirting with the waitress by wiggling his ears. It startled her so bad, she spilled a glass of water onto his lap. After her shift ended, her boss made her stay and sit with him until his pants dried. Little did they know at the time, it was the beginning of a lifelong love. One week after turning 21 years old, Bob married Genalee Bailey (Genie) in Craig, Colorado, on June 13, 1953. At only 16 years of age, Genalee’s mother signed paperwork permitting the marriage. Genalee turned 17 years old 5-1/2 weeks later. Their love remained strong and true for the next 44-1/2 years until his beloved wife and soulmate passed away at the age of 61.

After they wed, Bob and Genie moved back to Illinois. Shortly thereafter, Bob went to barber school in Decatur, Illinois. Through a friend, Bob accepted a job opening in Bozeman, Montana, where their four children would be born. While living in Montana, he also served with the Montana National Guard.

Approximately a year after the birth of their youngest child, they moved back to Illinois where they stayed to finish raising their children. Bob secured a lease for a barber shop in a federal building in St. Louis, Missouri. The Mart Building was a tall building which housed the offices of the armed services, which translated to a large building full of men who were required to keep their hair at a required length, equating to a degree of guaranteed income for Bob’s growing family. Bob commuted to St. Louis until their youngest child graduated from high school.

In 1977, Bob and Genie moved to Utah. Bob opened a furniture stripping business while Genie worked as an apartment manager and a receptionist at a real estate office. In 1984, they moved to Evanston, Wyoming, where Bob worked as a carpenter; adding a restaurant and bar to a local Best Western hotel, during which time Genie worked as a front desk clerk. In the mid-1980’s, they opted for a warmer climate and moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico, where they worked side-by-side as apartment managers; Genie handling the business portion and Bob working as the handyman, which they did until Genie passed away in December 1997. During their time in Albuquerque, Bob could often be found working in his wood shop making toys for their eight grandchildren. Bob loved working with his hands and especially with wood. He loved to bring life to a piece of wood or restore it to its original beauty. He found great joy in working with his hands and with tools. He was always known for being a hard worker and passed this trait on to his children.

Robert T. Winfree joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on July 4, 1960. Bob spent the rest of his life serving the Lord in many capacities. While living in Illinois, he primarily served as a ward clerk, a position he would also hold years later in New Mexico. In Utah and New Mexico, he became active in Scouting. He thoroughly enjoyed the many years he spent working with the young men of the Church. One of his favorite activities was the annual hiking trip the scout troop took to Escalante in Southern Utah. Bob also served as his bishop’s executive secretary, a ward and stake missionary, and a Sunday School teacher. In his later years, he served missions as a temple ordinance worker in the LDS Albuquerque, New Mexico temple and also served several years in the LDS Bishop’s Storehouse in Farmington, New Mexico. He also loved serving in the ward library for 10 plus years where he was able to greet so many folks on Sunday mornings! Bob found great joy in his service. He loved being around people and helping those in need. He was a great neighbor and a great friend!

On March 17, 2000, Bob married Barbara Louise Hunt Worden. They spent their lives together in Barbara’s home in Farmington, New Mexico. With Barbara’s passing on February 1, 2026, Bob found himself a widower once again, just shy of 26 years later.

Bob lived a long, happy, content life. He passed peacefully in the home of very loving family members, Randy and Mazie Franklin. He was also exceptionally cared for by Savanna and Brigham Brown. There are not enough words to express our thanks to them and the rest of their family for their great love and care of our father. One of the greatest honors and pleasures in the lives of both of our parents was that of being the honorary grandparents to Randy and Mazie’s four children, Stephen, Joseph, Zachary, and his loving granddaughter, Savanna.

Robert is survived by his four children, Robert Keith (R.K.) Winfree, Paula Jean Winfree Elliott, Kristinia Sue Christen (Dan), Albert Leslie (Bert) Winfree; his eight grandchildren, Robert Allen Winfree, Charles Parker Winfree, Alexander James Bailey Winfree (Aspen), David Roy Thomas Winfree, Nicholas Torrence Christen (Heather), Anthony Lyle Christen, Danielle Ann Christen Nicholas (Christopher), and Brandon Keith Winfree; along with his eight great-grandchildren, Mason Lyle Christen (Mavis), Jennalee Bailey Christen, Grayson Kade Christen, Kaidan Asher Christen, Landon J. Christen, Lily Breann Nicholas, Oliver Charles Clark Nicholas, and Rylan Astaire Winfree. He is also survived by Mazie Franklin, Stephen Franklin (Sarah), Joseph Franklin, Zachary Franklin (Elizabeth), Savanna Franklin Brown (Brigham), Kenny Nelson (Leisa), and Jim and Connie Sherwood, all of whom are added branches to his family tree. He was also adored and respected by many nieces, nephews and dear friends.

Robert was preceded in death by his wife, Genalee Bailey Winfree; his parents, Simon Winfree and Clara Winfree Burnett; his brothers, James Winfree, Ramon Winfree, Leslie Winfree, and Simon Winfree; his sisters, Margaret Winfree Finke and Alice Winfree Lawhorn; his second wife, Barbara Worden Winfree; and his sons-in-law, Richard David Elliott and Randy Franklin.

Robert T. Winfree was laid to rest next to his eternal sweetheart, Genalee, with graveside services held on September 26, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., in the Douglas City Cemetery in Douglas, Wyoming.

Robert's Memorial Service will be held on October 17, 2026. Military Honors will be at 10:30 a.m. followed by a Memorial Service/Celebration of Life at 11:00 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located at 700 E Sahuarita Rd, Corona De Tucson (Vail), Arizona.