John Winter Endeared Himself To Viewers

By WALT BELCHER The Tampa Tribune

Published: Apr 6, 2007

Our lives move with certain rhythms. We get set in our morning routines, for example, and John Winter's playful kidding on News Channel 8's early newscasts was a part of many viewers' morning rhythm.

For years, we watched this likable young meteorologist, who knew his science but never took himself too seriously.

Relaxed on camera, he endeared himself to viewers with his clever banter, stories about his dog, his self-deprecation, and those attempts to stump morning anchors Bill Ratliff and Gayle Guyardo with trivia.

Off camera and on, he was always upbeat, friendly and ready with a quip.

Nearly three years ago, John made his debut as a television critic.

After some coaxing, he reluctantly agreed to share his meteorological expertise regarding "Category 6: Day of Destruction," a made-for-TV miniseries in which a hurricane hits Chicago.

"First thing, there is no such thing as a Category 6," he noted as he picked apart this ridiculous disaster movie. "A low pressure center over Canada couldn't generate a hurricane," he said.

I picked Winter for this chore because of his sense of humor, and he didn't let me down.

Whenever I watched him on the News Channel 8 morning show, he made me smile. I thought, "Now there's a guy who loves his work."

He was part of an annual charity softball game that raises money for the Lighthouse of the Blind. We played blindfolded, and John was about the only player who ever managed to hit the ball on the sighted team.

What has happened is hard to believe. There is sadness here on so many levels. And one of life's rhythms will change. He leaves behind a void that will be hard to fill. He will be missed.