Winston Gene Deutrich

Winston Gene Deutrich (1938–2025)

Winston Gene Deutrich, a proud fourth-generation Texan, passed away peacefully on April 5, 2025, surrounded by his loving family in North Carolina. He was 87 years old.

Born on March 30, 1938, in Bellville, Texas, Winston was the eldest son of Ernest Carl Deutrich and Irene Ueckert Deutrich. He was raised on the family farm in Raccoon Bend — land originally purchased by his grandfather Fritz Deutrich and great-uncle Raymond, a legacy that shaped much of his life. His family’s German roots trace back to Westphalia, Prussia, from where his great-grandfather, Carl Deutrich, immigrated to Washington County, establishing their deep Texas heritage.

Winston and his younger brother, Wilbert Ray “Bert” Deutrich, grew up in a hardworking rural household where farming was a way of life. He was baptized and confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Bellville, where he remained a lifelong member.

A proud Bellville Brahma, Winston was active in FFA, played football, basketball, and baseball, and showed steers at the county fair. After high school, he served in the U.S. Army Reserves and later attended Sam Houston State University. He went on to build a successful career at Phillips 66 in Houston, where he became a plant supervisor and color specialist in plastics manufacturing.

In the 1960s, Winston met the love of his life, Linda Oleta Campbell. Linda was on the verge of relocating to Saudi Arabia for her career with Exxon but instead chose to build a life with Winston. They married on October 10, 1964, and shared a deep love of music, dancing, and sports. From the early days of the Colt .45s to the Houston Astros and Oilers, they were season ticket holders and avid fans through the “Luv Ya Blue” years. In 1969, they adopted their son, Kirk, and built a home full of love, laughter, and Texas values.

Winston retired in the early 1990s and returned to the family land to raise cattle alongside his father and, later his brother Bert. After their passings, he continued the operation himself, undeterred by a series of major health challenges. A three-time survivor of serious cardiac diagnoses, Winston remained strong-willed and fiercely independent, continuing to care for his beloved herd even when mobility and breathing became difficult.

Following a prolonged hospitalization that began in February of this year, Winston relocated to North Carolina to be with his son, daughter-in-law, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Though his time there was brief, he was at peace, surrounded by family, love, and stories of home.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his beloved wife Linda, and his brother Bert. He is survived by his son Kirk Deutrich and wife Mary; grandchildren Kyzia Bova and husband Jon, Kailyn Allbright and husband Will, and Marin Deutrich and fiancé Hunter; great-grandchildren Sloane, Patrick, and Delaney Jane Bova; nephew Greg Deutrich and wife Jenifer, and their children Ashton, Ethan, and Maci; nephew Doug Jones and his family; and many extended relatives, friends, and neighbors whose lives he touched with his wit and indomitable spirit.

Winston will be remembered as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather; a loyal friend and neighbor; a steadfast rancher; and a true Texan — strong-willed, warmhearted, and one of a kind.