John Winter (meteorologist)
Encyclopedia
John Winter was a meteorologist
for NBC
affiliate WFLA-TV
in Tampa, Florida
.
A native of Seminole, Florida
and an alum of Seminole Senior High School
, Winter was a Bachelor of Arts
graduate in the field of meteorology
at the University of Kansas
. He began his career as a television meteorologist at KGBT-TV
in Harlingen, Texas
, working there for two years before moving to the Tampa area in 1994 and joining WFLA-TV. During most of his career in Tampa Bay, he was the morning meteorologist for WFLA-TV, occasionally substituting on the evening editions. Winter held the Seal of Approval from the American Meteorological Society
.
In addition to his meteorological career, he was also a co-owner of "Big U Media", an advertising firm that he co-owned with a friend and WFLA-TV colleague. He was also a member of a local charitable organization and Gasparilla krewe, The Rough Riders, who help underprivileged and sick children by distributing teddy bears at homeless shelters and in hospitals.
An avid animal lover, Winter featured an animal up for adoption for each hour of the morning show during his weather segments on behalf of local animal shelters. The adoption success rate was outstanding.
, Winter shot himself and died instantly. His death stunned co-workers; news anchor Stacie Schaible was near tears reporting his death, the lead story that evening. He had left the station following a newscast the night before cheerful and upbeat in mood. However, it was learned that he suffered from severe depression.
Meteorology
Meteorology is the interdisciplinary scientific study of the atmosphere. Studies in the field stretch back millennia, though significant progress in meteorology did not occur until the 18th century. The 19th century saw breakthroughs occur after observing networks developed across several countries...
for NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
affiliate WFLA-TV
WFLA-TV
WFLA-TV, virtual channel 8, is the NBC-affiliated television station in Tampa/St. Petersburg, Florida. The station is the flagship station of its owner and operator, Media General. Its transmitter is located in Riverview, Hillsborough County, Florida. WFLA is the only station in the market to be...
in Tampa, Florida
Tampa, Florida
Tampa is a city in the U.S. state of Florida. It serves as the county seat for Hillsborough County. Tampa is located on the west coast of Florida. The population of Tampa in 2010 was 335,709....
.
A native of Seminole, Florida
Seminole, Florida
Seminole is a city in Pinellas County, Florida, United States. The population was 10,890 at the 2000 census. As of 2007, the population estimated by the U.S. Census Bureau is 19,195. St. Petersburg College has a campus in the city.-Geography:...
and an alum of Seminole Senior High School
Seminole High School (Pinellas County, Florida)
Seminole High School is a public coeducational high school located in Seminole, Florida. It is governed by the Pinellas County School District. The school's mascot is "Wally the Warhawk"...
, Winter was a Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
graduate in the field of meteorology
Meteorology
Meteorology is the interdisciplinary scientific study of the atmosphere. Studies in the field stretch back millennia, though significant progress in meteorology did not occur until the 18th century. The 19th century saw breakthroughs occur after observing networks developed across several countries...
at the University of Kansas
University of Kansas
The University of Kansas is a public research university and the largest university in the state of Kansas. KU campuses are located in Lawrence, Wichita, Overland Park, and Kansas City, Kansas with the main campus being located in Lawrence on Mount Oread, the highest point in Lawrence. The...
. He began his career as a television meteorologist at KGBT-TV
KGBT-TV
KGBT-TV, virtual channel 4 , is a CBS affiliate located in Harlingen, Texas. Its market includes the greater Rio Grande Valley metropolitan area. KGBT is currently owned by Barrington Broadcasting Company. Its transmitter is located in Cameron County, Texas...
in Harlingen, Texas
Harlingen, Texas
Harlingen is a city in Cameron County in the heart of the Rio Grande Valley of south Texas, United States, about from the coast of the Gulf of Mexico. The city covers more than , and is the second largest city in Cameron County and the sixth largest in the Rio Grande Valley...
, working there for two years before moving to the Tampa area in 1994 and joining WFLA-TV. During most of his career in Tampa Bay, he was the morning meteorologist for WFLA-TV, occasionally substituting on the evening editions. Winter held the Seal of Approval from the American Meteorological Society
American Meteorological Society
The American Meteorological Society promotes the development and dissemination of information and education on the atmospheric and related oceanic and hydrologic sciences and the advancement of their professional applications. Founded in 1919, the American Meteorological Society has a membership...
.
In addition to his meteorological career, he was also a co-owner of "Big U Media", an advertising firm that he co-owned with a friend and WFLA-TV colleague. He was also a member of a local charitable organization and Gasparilla krewe, The Rough Riders, who help underprivileged and sick children by distributing teddy bears at homeless shelters and in hospitals.
An avid animal lover, Winter featured an animal up for adoption for each hour of the morning show during his weather segments on behalf of local animal shelters. The adoption success rate was outstanding.
Death
On April 5, 2007, as deputies pounded on his front door responding to an anonymous call to his home in the Tealside section of LithiaLithia, Florida
Lithia is an unincorporated community in Hillsborough County, Florida, United States. It is a suburb of Tampa and has a population of 8,527. The zip code is 33547. The area code is 813.-Description:...
, Winter shot himself and died instantly. His death stunned co-workers; news anchor Stacie Schaible was near tears reporting his death, the lead story that evening. He had left the station following a newscast the night before cheerful and upbeat in mood. However, it was learned that he suffered from severe depression.
External links
- John Winter obituary on WFLA-TVWFLA-TVWFLA-TV, virtual channel 8, is the NBC-affiliated television station in Tampa/St. Petersburg, Florida. The station is the flagship station of its owner and operator, Media General. Its transmitter is located in Riverview, Hillsborough County, Florida. WFLA is the only station in the market to be...
's YouTubeYouTubeYouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
channel., also here, and here