Services for Kevin Gray Winsell are set for Saturday, February 25, 2023, at 2:00pm, at Hardwicke Funeral Home in Clarksville, Arkansas. Kevin, of Oklahoma City, passed unexpectedly on February 21 from complications after spinal surgery. He was 60. His family and countless friends are devastated by this loss.
Born September 10, 1962, in Kansas City, Missouri, he was the second of three children born to loving parents, Don Winsell and Jane Rofkahr Winsell Paramore. Kevin immediately filled the lives of those around him with love and light. He spent the first few years of his childhood in Overland Park, Kansas. When he was six years old, his father died in a car accident. At age nine, his family moved to Clarksville, Arkansas. Three years later, his mom met and married his stepfather, Harry Paramore, and the family moved to Duncan, Oklahoma. Kevin graduated from Duncan High School in 1980. He then went on to pursue and complete a bachelor’s degree in Radio, TV & Film at the University of Oklahoma, where he was a standout member of the snare line in the Pride of Oklahoma Marching Band. He graduated from OU in 1984.
After college, Kevin went on to work 38 years as a director of most every newscast at KWTV Channel 9 in OKC. In 2021, he moved to a similar director role at KFOR, Channel 4 in OKC. In both roles, he mentored, encouraged, and positively impacted the lives of hundreds of broadcast journalists. His colleagues are quick to point out how Kevin raised the standard of news presentations throughout his career.
More than his career, Kevin cherished his family. He traveled often to visit his mother, Jane, who moved back to Clarksville after Harry’s death in 1988. Kevin made it his mission to put up and take down her Christmas tree every year. He also adored his partner of 25 years, Charlie Monnot. The two were married in a private ceremony at their home on New Year’s Day, 2021. He loved spending time with his brother, Jon, niece Julia and nephew, Chase of Wentzville, Missouri, and his sister, Kim, her husband Rob Mullins of Clarksville, and his four nephews and niece: Greyson of Jacksonville, Florida, Grant, his wife, Lyndsey and their baby, Archie of Harrison, Arkansas, Garrett of Clarksville, Gage of Hinesville, Georgia and McKenna of Clarksville. He also enjoyed spending time with Charlie’s family, including Charles “Bo” Monnot, his wife, Marliee Monnot, Connie Monnot, Kenny and Sherri Wert and Phillip and Kristi Herrera.
Kevin was a gentle soul with a permanent smile who radiated kindness. His rare bad days coincided with anytime his beloved football team, the OU Sooners, lost a game. His yard was impeccable, his collection of nutcrackers was enviable, and his love of live theater and movies was undeniable. But the parties… Kevin and Charlie’s parties were legendary in OKC. Whether hosting a small gathering in their home to watch all the big games on autumn Saturdays, or the Tony Awards every year on that Sunday in June, or their giant annual (for 25 years) Academy Awards soiree, two of which included an actual Oscar statue, Kevin and Charlie were the consummate hosts. Kevin’s light and love is sorely missed, and his loss is deeply felt.
Kevin is preceded in death by his father, Don Winsell, and stepfather Harry Paramore. In addition to the funeral services in Clarksville, a Celebration of Life will be held in Oklahoma City at the Bishop W. Angie Smith Chapel on the campus of Oklahoma City University 2501 N. Blackwelder at 2:00 p.m. on March 12th. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Kevin’s name to the Pride of Oklahoma Marching Band at http://home.oufoundation.org/PrideOfOklahoma or by mail to OU Foundation PO Box 25885, Oklahoma City, OK 73125-8856. Please make checks payable to OU Foundation and include In Memory of Kevin Winsell, Pride of Oklahoma Fund #0030242 in the memo section of the check.