Ralph Winkler, 67, of Houston, Texas, passed away on February 12, 2022, after a short struggle with covid pneumonia due to a suppressed immune system.

Ralph was a native Houstonian, born on December 9, 1954, to Charles and Marie Winkler. Ralph lived his formative years in Pasadena, Texas, and graduated from the University of Houston, Clear Lake, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering.

Ralph spent his entire professional career in the oil and gas industry. Since June 1990, he was employed with Enterprise Products. His most recent position was Sr. Manager for E-Call. During his 32 years with the company, he also held positions as Regional Manager for Preventive Maintenance, Regional Manager for Maintenance, Regional Manager for Operations, Regional Manager for Texas NGL pipeline, and early in his career he was a supervisor for Seminole SE and the pipeline.

Ralph and his wife, Gail Heikkinen, married in 1983, and had two children, Caitlyn, and Justin Winkler. Ralph (winningly) coached his children through YMCA sports and raised them with an appreciation for country living. He was an avid Houston Rodeo volunteer and served on the Calf Scramble Committee. He believed in youth and the benefits of an agricultural background, financially supporting college scholarships through the calf donor program. Since 2009, Ralph has been an instructor at TEEX (Texas Fire Training School) at A&M University in College Station. He loved a well-planned, exhilarating industrial fire!

For the past 25 years, Ralph served the Lord through The Family of Faith Lutheran Church, holding various leadership positions and undertaking mission work. Ralph's love of his ranch, the 4-W, was known to all. He enjoyed being the weekend cattle farmer and introduced all who visited the proper way to feed a cow or longhorn by hand. He loved sitting by the bonfire calling coyotes. He has left an irreplaceable legacy, the 4-W, which has been in the family for more than 100 plus years, for his children and grandchildren.

Ralph was preceded in death by his parents, Charles Edward and Marie Winkler, and his sister, Diane Winkler. He is survived by his wife, Gail Winkler, of 38 years, and his two children, Caitlyn Winkler of Cypress, Texas, and Justin Winkler (Kalia) of Giddings, Texas, grandchildren, Michael Winkler, Abigail Winkler, Willow Krause, and Bryn Krause, as well as his uncle, Monroe Miertschin, aunts, Violet Tarpey, Emma Miertschin, Carol Miertschin, and several cousins.

The family invites you to celebrate Ralph's life on Saturday, February 26, 2022, at The Family of Faith Lutheran Church (www.thefamilyoffaith.org) located at 16710 FM 529, Houston, Texas

77095. The service will be at 11:00 am. A reception will follow.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to The Family of Faith Lutheran Church, Houston, Texas, in memory of Ralph, via check or www.thefamilyoffaith.org (give/donate tab).