08/28/2008

Associated Press

Marc "Ted" Winters, a former aide to two governors and the husband of Republican state Sen. Jackie Winters of Salem, has died. He was 84.

Winters worked for state government for 15 years, including seven as staff to former Govs. Tom McCall and Bob Straub.

During the McCall administration, he served as director of the state Economic Opportunity Office, where he helped to establish the Housing Division which later became the Oregon Housing and Community Services Department.

Winters also assisted with the creation of the Oregon Department of Human Services. In his role as state ombudsman for McCall and Straub, Winters established ombudsman programs for nursing homes and corrections.

As a private citizen, he founded MAJAC Institute and New Life Christian Network, Inc., a post-prison ministry. Along with his wife Jackie, Winters fed "Jackie's Ribs" in their restaurants and cook-offs.

Winters was also the author of short stories and two autobiographical books, "Never Kill Lions" and "Lifer."

Winters died Tuesday.

He is survived by his wife, Jackie; son, Mark; daughter, Theresa; stepsons, Anthony, Marlon, Bill and Brian McClain; 11 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.