Michael Dane Winstead

Michael Dane Winstead, age 69, passed away Saturday, March 2, 2019 from heart failure at Abrazo Hospital in Phoenix, Arizona. Michael was born on December 1, 1949 in Sanford, North Carolina to parents Dorsey Waylon "Duck" and Martha Jane Winstead. Michael studied pre-law at Campbell University in North Carolina and then had a series of jobs before making his love for running card games into his career, working as a casino dealer for many years in Chicago, IL and then Prescott, AZ. Michael met and married his wife, Linda in 1979. The two just celebrated their 40th anniversary this year. They had five children between the two of them (two each from their first marriages) and shared many memories and experiences together. Since retiring in sunny Phoenix, AZ most of his days were spent hanging out by the pool, making friends with his fellow "old geezer" residents, and contributing to the senior community as best he could. Pursuing his passions to the end, Michael most recently practiced for and competed in the Billiards event of the 2019 Arizona Senior Olympics. His sense of humor, laugh, positive spirit, and genuinely kind and giving nature will be deeply missed. Michael is preceded in death by his parents, Dorsey Waylon "Duck" and Martha Jane Winstead. He is survived by his wife, Linda; three daughters, Jessica Winstead, Michelle Dudley, and Angela Nusz; two sons, Chris Winstead and Thomas Huber; 10 grandchildren; 8 great grandchildren; brother and sister-in-law, Mark and Vicki Winstead; first wife, Donna Poe, and many other extended family and dear friends. As Michael has many friends and family spread out across the country, a memorial service will not be held. However, Michael's final wishes of cremation, post organ donation, will be honored and his ashes will be scattered at the Grand Canyon in Arizona.