Obituaries : Winston James Tucker; Former Football Coach

Winston James Tucker, head football coach at Van Nuys High School from 1948 to 1970, has died in Fountain Hills, Ariz. He was 77.

A former Northridge resident, Tucker died Wednesday of a heart attack, said his son Jim Tucker of Kailua, Oahu, Hawaii.

Born Jan. 15, 1918, in Seymour, Tex., he played football at Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Tex. Soon after graduation, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps, serving as a pilot in Europe during World War II. He retired as a lieutenant colonel with the Air Force Reserve.

Tucker was hired in 1948 at Van Nuys High School where he served as head football coach and chairman of the boys physical education department. He taught health, driver’s training and driver’s education. In 1957, he was chosen Coach of the Year and was selected head coach of the Southern Division of the Annual Shrine North-South High School Football Classic.

He retired in 1970 and later moved to Laguna Beach. In 1989, he relocated to Fountain Hills, Ariz.

In addition to his son Jim, Tucker is survived by his wife of 49 years, Dorothy Tucker of Fountain Hills; son Robert Tucker of Fountain Hills; daughter Sandra Guiney of Fountain Hills, and six grandchildren.

A memorial service is planned for 11 a.m. Saturday at Oakwood Memorial Park, 22601 Lassen St., Chatsworth. Memorial contributions can be made in Tucker’s name to the American Heart Assn.