Hugh Owen Winn
November 17, 1941 - August 6, 2022
Hugh Owen Winn
Kailua Kona, Hawaii
died August 6, 2022, age 80
Hugh was born November 17, 1941, in Oxnard, California, the oldest of four children of Everett and Mary Alice Winn. He spent his early childhood in central California with one year in Illinois and his high school years in Coachella Valley, California. He received his B. A. from the University of Redlands in 1962. He then did graduate work at San Francisco Theological Seminary and San Francisco State University and married his college sweetheart, Ruth Kneeland, in 1963. They raised their daughters Lisa and Christine in Marin County, California, where he worked as a carpenter, becoming a General Contractor in 1967, remodeling and building houses. In the 1990’s he ran a cabinet shop with his daughter Lisa until his retirement in 2001.
In 2002 Hugh and Ruth moved to Marrowstone Island, Washington, where Hugh did volunteer work with Habitat for Humanity and the YMCA. They moved to Hawaii Island in 2018 to be closer to their daughters.
Hugh’s competitive swimming career began in high school and college and in 1995 he was inducted into the U. of R. Athletic Hall of Fame. As an older adult he achieved many records as a U. S. Masters Swimmer, especially open water events. He loved being able to swim year round in the ocean in Hawaii.
Hugh is survived by his wife of 58 years, Ruth, his daughters Lisa (Rich) Youngs and Christine (David Huerta) Winn, all of Kailua Kona, two grandsons, two step-grandsons. Also survived by his sister Bonnie Zoe Winn, his brother Frank (Kim) Winn, his sister-in-law Nancy Winn, all in California, and many nieces, nephews, cousins and in-laws. He was predeceased by his brother Will Winn in 2001.
Per his wishes there will be no services but the immediate family will spread his ashes in the ocean.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Kona, your local branches of Habitat for Humanity or YMCA, or a charity of choice.
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