The Life of James G. Winkler
WINKLER, James Gordon, an architect aged 62, passed away on July 1, 2014 after a long battle with cancer. He was the son of John H. Winkler and Annie Finley Winkler, historian and founder of the Wilkes Art Gallery. He is survived by his wife Marion (Mimi) Converse; son Harry and daughter Becca; sisters Robin Naughton of Legrand, OR and Molly Good of Great Falls, MT; and cousin Parks Reece of Livingston, MT.
Jim was born and raised in North Wilkesboro, in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. He received a Bachelors in Architecture from North Carolina State University and a Masters in Architecture from UCLA. After graduating he worked with renowned architects Charles Moore and Barton Myers. He then moved to Philadelphia in 1987 to work for Venturi, Rauch and Scott Brown, where he also met his wife. After they married; Jim worked for Cesar Pelli in New Haven. They returned to Philadelphia in 1993 where Jim worked for DPK&A. In 2001 Mimi and Jim established their own successful firm, Converse Winkler Architecture.
Jim’s passion was for architecture and design. He was a member of the AIA Philadelphia Chapter and a LEED accredited professional. He believed in the power of good design to influence the vitality of cities and the preservation of buildings as a connection to the past and anchors of the community. Jim was always ready to teach the next generation of architects.
Jim was also a musician. He loved old time bluegrass music, and played the banjo and guitar. He sang in the Overbrook Presbyterian church choir and recently enjoyed a singing tour with them to Germany and the Czech Republic.
Jim loved visiting Montana every year to see his cousin Parks and his “Band of Brothers”, where they roamed the plains and mountains, hunting antelope, deer and the elusive elk.
A memorial service will be held at 11:30 am on Tuesday July 8, 2014 at the Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church. Contributions in his memory may be made to the Partners for Sacred Places; 1700 Sansom Street, Philadelphia, PA 19003 or Livingston Center for Art and Culture; 119 South Main Street Livingston, MT 59047. Arrangements by Bringhurst Funeral Home at West Laurel Hill Cemetery