Don Winterton passed away on January 4, 2018. He was preceded in death by his father, William Gladstone Winterton and mother Frieda Sanik Winterton. Don is survived by his treasured wife of 30 years Lynne (Busta) Winterton, son Donald C. Winterton, daughter-in-law Oksana Winterton, daughter Jamie (Winterton) McGee, son in law Paul McGee, daughter Kaci (Byrd) Cheeseman, son-in-law Joseph (Bobby) Cheeseman and grandchildren Tyler Winterton, Faith Winterton, Ayden Winterton, Bryce Winterton, Anastasia Winterton and Meghan McGee. A native of New Jersey, Don later played basketball for the University of Tampa where his 1967-1968 team was inducted into the UT Athletic Hall of Fame. He received his B.S. from UT and M.S. from the University of South Florida. From teaching at Natures Classroom in Tampa to his retirement, he was devoted to education and the environment. As a cherished teacher, principal and role model he taught thousands of students in Florida at Pinetta Jr. High and Madison County High School, where he was selected three times as Teacher of The Year. He was also selected Florida Teacher of the Year. Well known for his knowledge and collection of reptiles and amphibians, including the filming of TV episodes on turtles, he taught respect for animals of all kinds to multiple generations of young people and adults. It was not uncommon for Don to be called upon across Madison County to rescue and relocate turtles and snakes and other creatures. Don built his home on a hill with his bare hands and raised three children who looked up to his six foot eleven inch stature literally and figuratively. He took his family on long camping trips often of 10,000 miles to see the country and appreciate the wilderness all the time collecting rocks, fossils, and scouring deserts and forests at night in search of interesting creatures. Don also developed a keen interest in space often hosting community members to his farm for meteor showers, comet sightings, and to learn more about space. He was also accepted to the Teacher in Space Program. He also gave space lectures at the Gulf Coast Exploreum. Don was an avid and loyal University of South Alabama basketball fan. Always ever devoted to his wife Lynne, they spent time together gardening, doing puzzles and practicing their true love of one another. A Celebration of his Life will be held in the garden of their home for friends and family on February 2, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. The family asks that in lieu of flowers that gifts be made to Don's favorite charity KIVA, at www.kiva.org. to help fund investments to change lives and make the world a better place. Arrangements by Ascension Funerals & Cremations, 1016 Hillcrest Road, Mobile, Alabama 36695.
Published in the Mobile Register and Baldwin County on Jan. 14, 2018