VERNON WINTER, beloved coach and athletic director at Normandy High, died May 17, 2008 at the home of his son Paul in Ballwin after a long illness. He was 86 and he and his wife of 58 years, Jeanne, had lived in Normandy. Mr. Winter came to Normandy in 1956 from St. Mary's High School, where he had taught phys ed and health and coached football since 1948. He coached the football Vikings from 1956 through 1969; he also coached basketball and baseball. His acceptance as part of the Normandy family was instantaneous; his sincerity, warmth and ability to engage his players in a quest for excellence won over student athletes, their parents and fans immediately. He didn't have to wait long for success; at the Thanksgiving, 1956, football game at Ritenour, the Vikings won their first Wagon Wheel victory after fourprevious tries. The next year against Ritenour, but at home (the game originally was to have taken place there but StudentCouncil managed to change that arrangement and make it the Homecoming game too), the Vikings won not only the Wheel but the Big Six Championship. In 1969 Mr. Winter was appointed athletic director and continued in that position until his retirement in 1986. Mr. Winter was considered instrumental in continuing the Normandy Christmas Basketball Tournament during a difficult period for the school and for coming up with private funding to keep the athletic program going in the mid-1980s. He also managed to keep Camp Viking, the popular summer camp program on the High School campus, going until the 19705. The program had been started in 1949 under the direction of C.E. "Ed" Potter, who later became Normandy High principal. A native of Belleville, Mr. Winter graduated from the University of Illinois at Champaign, earning both bachelor's and master's degrees despite time off to serve in the Marines in World War II. He is also survived by his daughters Nora and Lynn; his son Bruce; and a brother, Dr. Tyrus Winter. A large contingent of Normandy High friends paid their respects to Mr. Winter before his interment at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery.