1937
Dr.
2010
Dr. John Edward Winters, ED.D.
August 13, 1937 — August 21, 2010
John Edward Winters was born on August 13, 1937 in Fordyce, Arkansas to Newt and Eliza Winters. John departed this life on Saturday morning, August 21, 2010.
The Winters family moved to Henderson, Nevada and then, to Portland, Oregon where John attended Holliday Elementary and Washington High School. John was a life-long lover of basketball and his skills were rewarded with a scholarship to Portland State College (now PSU) where he led his team as an aggressive scoring guard. After graduating from Portland State, John became a teacher and taught at Highland Elementary School (now Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary) for five years. During his tenure at Highland, John coached and mentored a boys' basketball team whose members remain close today. In June of this year, these now established and successful men honored John with a surprise Recognition Banquet. John dearly loved these young men and he carried cherished memories of them until his death.
While a student at Portland State, John met the love of his life, Mary Jean Brannon. Their lifelong union began, and on July 8, 2010 they celebrated 48 years of marriage. Two daughters were born of this union: Kimberly and Candace.
John and Jean moved to Southern California and raised their daughters. John earned his Masters' degree from California State University, Los Angeles. He went on to earn a Doctorate from Nova University – Fort Lauderdale, Florida. A master educator, John was a long-time employee of Compton Unified School District where he held positions as a Teacher, Assistant Principal, Principal, Director of Instructional Services, and Director of Employer/Employee Relations and Risk Management. He also held positions as Administrator of Secondary Schools, Assistant to the Deputy Superintendent; and Assistant Superintendent of School Administration.
John's family and friends remember him as always smiling. One of John's nieces described him as "sweet." He was easy going, an organizer, and a person on whom you could depend. John's former staff members depended upon his leadership and he never let them down. John loved his membership at Bethel A.M.E. and used his organizing skills whenever he got an opportunity.
John always had a twinkle in his eye. He could be a jokester on many topics, but he was always serious about the Lakers! John was a #1 Lakers' Fan! For many years, John enjoyed playing basketball with his nephews who always thought they could "take him." It remains a secret whether John ever let them win or if they just got better!
John loved traveling; whether near or far. His family loved and looked forward to the many trips he would plan each year; someof them abroad. No matter how far he traveled, John always took time to visit with his extended family members. John was preceded in death by his parents, Newt and Eliza Winters; three brothers: Robert Roscoe, James W., and Newt, Jr. and one sister: Mae Francis Harris.
John was beloved. And he loved. John was a good and faithful son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, uncle, friend, coach, employee, and a mentor and model for many. He will be missed. He leaves to cherish his memory, his wife: Mary Jean; his daughters: Kimberly and Candace; granddaughters: Tanzania and Denia; brother: Jack Winters (Marilyn); sister: Jean Massey; three brothers-in-law; eight sisters-in-law; dozens of nieces, nephews, grand and great-grand nieces and nephews; scores of cousins, and a multitude of dear friends.
The Winters family moved to Henderson, Nevada and then, to Portland, Oregon where John attended Holliday Elementary and Washington High School. John was a life-long lover of basketball and his skills were rewarded with a scholarship to Portland State College (now PSU) where he led his team as an aggressive scoring guard. After graduating from Portland State, John became a teacher and taught at Highland Elementary School (now Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary) for five years. During his tenure at Highland, John coached and mentored a boys' basketball team whose members remain close today. In June of this year, these now established and successful men honored John with a surprise Recognition Banquet. John dearly loved these young men and he carried cherished memories of them until his death.
While a student at Portland State, John met the love of his life, Mary Jean Brannon. Their lifelong union began, and on July 8, 2010 they celebrated 48 years of marriage. Two daughters were born of this union: Kimberly and Candace.
John and Jean moved to Southern California and raised their daughters. John earned his Masters' degree from California State University, Los Angeles. He went on to earn a Doctorate from Nova University – Fort Lauderdale, Florida. A master educator, John was a long-time employee of Compton Unified School District where he held positions as a Teacher, Assistant Principal, Principal, Director of Instructional Services, and Director of Employer/Employee Relations and Risk Management. He also held positions as Administrator of Secondary Schools, Assistant to the Deputy Superintendent; and Assistant Superintendent of School Administration.
John's family and friends remember him as always smiling. One of John's nieces described him as "sweet." He was easy going, an organizer, and a person on whom you could depend. John's former staff members depended upon his leadership and he never let them down. John loved his membership at Bethel A.M.E. and used his organizing skills whenever he got an opportunity.
John always had a twinkle in his eye. He could be a jokester on many topics, but he was always serious about the Lakers! John was a #1 Lakers' Fan! For many years, John enjoyed playing basketball with his nephews who always thought they could "take him." It remains a secret whether John ever let them win or if they just got better!
John loved traveling; whether near or far. His family loved and looked forward to the many trips he would plan each year; someof them abroad. No matter how far he traveled, John always took time to visit with his extended family members. John was preceded in death by his parents, Newt and Eliza Winters; three brothers: Robert Roscoe, James W., and Newt, Jr. and one sister: Mae Francis Harris.
John was beloved. And he loved. John was a good and faithful son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, uncle, friend, coach, employee, and a mentor and model for many. He will be missed. He leaves to cherish his memory, his wife: Mary Jean; his daughters: Kimberly and Candace; granddaughters: Tanzania and Denia; brother: Jack Winters (Marilyn); sister: Jean Massey; three brothers-in-law; eight sisters-in-law; dozens of nieces, nephews, grand and great-grand nieces and nephews; scores of cousins, and a multitude of dear friends.
Visitation
Rose City Funeral Home
5625 Northeast Fremont Street
Portland
,
OR
US
97213-1754
Thursday, August 26, 2010, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Service
Bethel A.M.E. Church
5828 Northeast 8th Avenue
Portland
,
OR
US
97211
Friday, August 27, 2010, 11:00 AM
Cemetery
Rose City Cemetery
5625 N.E. Fremont St.
Portland
,
OR
US
97213-1754
Friday, August 27, 2010,
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