Award-winning Shriner, supporter of children's hospitals, dies at 87

An award-winning Hampton County Shriner who raised more than $2 million to aid crippled and burned children around the country passed away last week. 

John Mike Winn, 87, passed away on Saturday, April 23, at Magnolia Manor Nursing Home in Spartanburg, under the care of hospice.

South Carolina Shriners say that Winn was the first Shriner to ever receive the Medal of Honor for $1 million dollars raised or donated, and the only Shriner to ever be awarded the Medal of Honor for $2 million dollars raised or donated.

Winn received a special Shriner "Fez" for his collection of $2 million dollars, which was used to help the families of children who have accrued high medical and travel bills due to unfortunate circumstances. During his career with the Shriners, Winn tirelessly fought for children in need who were being treated within a network of 22 hospitals that the Shriners organization supports nationally.

"It is because of Shriners like Mr. Winn that we are able to offer our services for families, regardless of ability to pay, for 100 years now," said Trana Downs, Director of Marketing and Communication at the Shriners Children's Greenville. "The level of donation that he raised over his lifetime as a Shriner are outstanding and certainly commendable. He will be missed."

After retiring from Westinghouse in 1991, Winn went on to work as a front-end manager at Piggly Wiggly and later Food Lion, both in Hampton. According to the obituary prepared by his family,  the customers and children loved “Mr. Mike” and looked forward to seeing him.

It was at this time in his retirement that Winn found a "happy place" with the Shriners, says his family:

"Here he got to do the two things he loved most. He got to socialize with people, and he also got to help children through getting donations for the Shriners Hospital in Greenville, SC."

Winn became known as Brother Noble "Mike" Winn when he became a Shriner of Omar Shrine Center and Shriners International on Nov. 7, 1986.

Achieving the unheard-of mark of raising $2 million dollars has placed Winn, and his Shrine Temple, El Bab, on the Shriner's of America record books. Winn was ranked first in candy sales out of 2,600 participating Shriners. 

To better put Winn's accomplishment into perspective, Shriners are awarded a "medal of honor" distinction, to adorn a "Fez" hat, when a Shriner raises $100,000 for the organization. Winn has reached this milestone 200 times over.

As a Shriner, Winn was awarded the Dave Thomas Lifetime Achievement Award twice and the Walt Disney Award also on two occasions. These are special distinctive awards that are chosen by the Potentate of the Shriners.

Winn's selfless dedication and commitment to helping others was also recognized at home in Hampton County. Winn received the Arnold Fields Lifetime Achievement award in March of 2009 and the James A. Moore Lifetime Achievement Award - both for raising funds for the burned and crippled children. He also was awarded the Community Service Award by the Hampton County Chamber of Commerce in 2017 for not only devoting his time to help raise money for the Omar Temple, but striving to make a difference in the Hampton County community.

Several local people have told The Hampton County Guardian that Winn was directly responsible for getting their child or loved one much-needed medical care at a Shriners Hospital. 

Winn was well-known in Hampton County for his tireless commitment to children. He was often seen collecting money at local retailers like grocery stores and even Wal-Mart, selling cookies and candy bars for the Shriners. When he wasn't working at local grocery stores, he was raising money in the parking lot for the Shriners' children.

"Mike had no other hobbies or interests," his wife, Mary, told The Guardian recently. "Mike's interest was people. Mike just loved people. That's all he knows."

The Winns participated in all of the activities and events in the Shriner unit and even traveled as part of the Potentate’s staff.

Ric Piersal, a brother Shriner, said, “Mike could sell ice to an Eskimo. He led the way in sales; car sales award, car raffle award, newspaper sales award, and top candy bar salesman... Mike was loved by all the Shriners! He was a true servant to the Shrine children, fellow man, and humanity. He will always be honored and remembered.”

A Hampton County native, Winn's parents, John Mike Winn and Clara Peeples Winn, died when he was five years old. Winn and his younger brother were raised and adopted by his oldest brother, Joseph Mannie Winn, and his wife, Debbie Olean Winn.

According to Winn's obituary, "Mannie and Debbie were never blessed with children of their own, but they loved the boys as if they were their own. They were the best parents, grandparents and great grandparents ever. This young Christian couple has touched so many lives and made such a difference in the boys and their family’s lives." 

Winn’s battle with serious medical issues in recent years showed his courage in facing life challenges with a smile, say family members. Despite the pain, he came out a hero and stayed strong until the end.

Winn is survived by his wife, Mary Margret Tharpe Winn, and one daughter, Noran Winn Gahl, who later gave them two beautiful granddaughters, Amanda Blair Gault (Todd) of Spartanburg, South Carolina and Emily Ann Remsburg (Jeff) of Fairbanks, Alaska, and four great-grandchildren.

In honor of  Winn, the family asks that in lieu of flowers to please make a donation to the Shriners Hospital in Greenville, S.C. It takes over a million dollars a day to run the Shriners Hospital and it runs solely on the donations from the Shriners. They have the finest doctors in the country and it is available to children of all races, backgrounds and cultures.

A memorial service was held April 30 at Varnville First Baptist Church's Family Life Center, with the Brice W. Herndon and Sons Funeral Home in Varnville handling the arrangements. Visit the registry online at: www.briceherndonfuneralhome.com.