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Don Winger
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Donald Eugene Winger, 68, of Longmont, died April 21, 2011 at his home after a courageous battle with cancer.
Don was born July 8, 1942 in Satana, Kansas the son of Ralph and Wanda (Ford) Winger. He grew up working on a farm southwest of Ulysses, Kansas. He attended school and graduated from Grant County Rural High School where he excelled in basketball, football and track. He was also a long time member of the 4-H club. Don married his high school sweetheart Judith “Judy” Lofland. They had gone to school and rode the school bus together since first grade. Don and Judy shared the same birth date. They eloped on December 27, 1960 in Garden City, KS. Don and Judy celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a family dinner at the Greenbrier.
Don graduated from Hutchinson Junior College, Hutchinson, KS with an Associate in Arts degree, where he participated on the track team. He received a Bachelor of Science in Education degree from The Kansas State Teachers College of Emporia, KS. Don received a Master of Science degree from The Kansas State Teachers College of Emporia, KS.
Don taught math, coached basketball, track and cross country for ten years at Garden City High School, Garden City, KS once placing in both basketball and cross country during his career before moving to Longmont in 1975. Don taught math and coached basketball, track, cross country and was the defensive coordinator for football at Niwot High School. Don touched the lives of many young people that he coached and mentored. Many will for the rest of their days refer to “Coach Winger” and what a great inspiration he was. Don was privileged to coach his sons Jeff, Greg and Brian on the Niwot High School basketball team. He also coached his grandsons Austin and Ryan Winger. Don and Judy traveled all over the state of Wyoming to watch their grandchildren Travis, Keely and Casey play football, basketball, soccer, volleyball and golf.
Don was known as a person of many interests. He enjoyed playing golf with many friends.
Don was a very good cook. He was famous for his biscuits and gravy and his Thanksgiving turkey. The Winger family always looked forward to breakfast cooked by their Dad while in the mountains. Don and Judy enjoyed traveling, and have great memories of Alaska, Hawaii and the Caribbean.
Don was devoted to his wife Judy, children and grandchildren. He loved the Longmont Church of Christ, actively serving as an Elder a number of years and helping in any role he could. He loved people and always enjoyed their company. Through the Church he also became active and a huge supporter of Mountain States Children’s Home, serving on the board for more than 20 years, helping with the direction of the organization and always in front of their capital campaigns.
Survivors include his wife Judy and his sons; Jeff (Janet) Winger of Lander, WY Greg (Tara) Winger of Longmont, Brian (Beth) Winger of Austin, TX and his daughter Amy (Matt) Hawkins of Broomfield, CO. He is further survived by his brother Derald (Bette) Winger of Harper, KS and his sister DiAnna (Norman) Patterson of Ulysses, KS. 11 grandchildren: Austin (Kayla), Windsor, CO, Ryan (Vicki) Firestone, CO, Travis and Kelley of Lander, WY, Grant, Keely, Addison and Colton of Austin, TX and Robbie and Joshua Hawkins of Broomfield, CO.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on April 26, 2011 at Mountain States Children’s Home, 3 miles north of Longmont on Highway 287. A visitation will be held at Mountain States from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Cremation will follow the services at Howe Mortuary and Cremation Services.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Mountain States Children’s Home, 14780 North 107th Street, Longmont, CO 80504-9782 |
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