Stephen "Terry" Winnett passed away October 26, 2026, peacefully at home, surrounded by his family, after a courageous battle with esophageal adenocarcinoma stage 4 and leptomeningeal disease. Terry was born on July 27, 1967, in Okinawa, Japan. After graduating from Roswell High School in 1985, he enlisted in the United States Army. 

His first stop was at the Presidio of Monterey in CA, where he became a German and Russian linguist. Following his initial military service, Terry attended Texas Tech University and earned a bachelor's degree in nursing. In 1999, he was commissioned into the United States Air Force as a nurse. In the summer of 2001, while stationed at Lackland Air Force Base, he met his wife, Ericka, and they married in England in May of 2004. For 22 years, Terry and Ericka shared a beautiful marriage built on love, friendship, and an unwavering commitment to one another and their daughter, Mallory. During his military service, Terry was stationed at several overseas and stateside locations and completed three deployments to Turkey, Germany, and Afghanistan. He proudly served his country with dedication and honor as a nurse in the ICU, ER, MSU, Flight Medicine Clinic and Aeromedical Evacuation. After 18 years in the United States Air Force, he retired and dedicated himself to being a stay-at-home dad, a role he deeply treasured. Terry and Mallory shared a love of adventure that led them to countless national parks and their beloved yearly trips to the EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, WI, where they made treasured memories together year after year. 

The family of three were all avid travelers who explored all 50 states and enjoyed many adventures overseas. Terry's greatest passion other than Mallory was aviation. An accomplished pilot, he proudly flew many of his family and friends, creating unforgettable memories along the way. He volunteered with the Civil Air Patrol for 17 years. He was in a pinnacle position as a CAP pilot. He flew critical missions during COVID delivering test equipment and supplies to test centers. Despite all his great leadership traits, abilities, incredible wealth of knowledge, and accomplishments, he was humble and always willing to help others. Terry was also a firearms enthusiast and strongly supported the 2nd amendment. While serving in the Air Force, he was awarded the Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon and while in the Army was awarded the Expert Marksmanship Qualification Badge. Terry has been described by those who knew him as kind, wise, warm, sincere, generous, thoughtful, respectful, genuine, a great American, wonderful father, dedicated husband and most often as funny, bringing laughter and his smile to every room he entered. 

He is survived by his wife, Ericka; his beloved daughter, Mallory; his parents, Royce and Beverly Winnett; six brothers and one sister: Kenny Winnett, Deborah Soules, Jonathan Pieratt, Mark Winnett, David Winnett, Jeremey Pieratt, Darren Winnett, their spouses, their children and numerous other family members. Terry will be missed beyond words. He will be laid to rest with Full Military Honors at the West Texas State VA cemetery and a Celebration of Life will follow at the Silent Air Museum in Lubbock, Texas.

The family has requested in lieu of flowers that donations be made in his honor to EAA: Women Soar Society: Women Scholarship Fund. https://www.eaa.org/eaa/apps/donations/donationform