Ivins, Utah - Alan R. Winkler passed away July 4, 2011. He was born in Inglewood, California on June 10, 1918 to Bertha and George Winkler. He attended Inglewood elementary schools. As an accomplished violin and viola player, he was concertmaster of the Inglewood High Orchestra, and also played in the orchestra while attending Compton Junior College. He was a member of the staff of the interior decorating studio at Bullocks for a year and was employed by Bank of America. The years 1940-1945 were spent in the U.S. Army, Finance Department of the Aleutians. Alan was discharged from the Army of the United States September 28, 1945 as a Staff Sargent. Returning from the war, he and his brother opened a furniture store in LaBrea, CA. On January 6, 1945, he married Elsie Lowman in Los Angeles and they celebrated 66 years together. They have one son, Robert who live in St. George, Utah with his wife, Phyllis. Alan and Elsie lived in Inglewood, California until 1952, when they moved to Palos Verdes Estates, California where Alan was a building contractor and architect. He built unique custom homes on this peninsula of many years. One of his favorite hobbies was building a 30 foot sloop with his cousin, Gordon Baum. It took five years to complete. It was such an attractive sailboat that it was used in a Coppertone commercial. Some of his fondest memories were sailing most weekends to Catalina with family and friends, who also enjoyed many wonderful years of boating. This became one of his sons most enjoyable experiences growing up, to sail to Catalina for a wonderful weekend together. Then they moved to the Escondido area of California, where Alan and his cousin Gordon Baum started a citrus and avocado ranch. They also lived in San Juan Capistrano and later moved back to Escondido. When their son Robert was working in Las Vegas, they moved to Las Vegas. After their son retired and moved to St. George, Utah, Alan and Elsie moved to nearby Ivins, Utah. The family enjoyed their final years with Alan here in this beautiful country of Red Mountains. This became this became his final resting place. Alan was a true gentleman, a proud father and loving husband. He enjoyed a friendly smile and quick wit to the end. He had two brothers, Walter (deceased) and Robert who lives in Escondido, California with his wife Gerda. He had one sister, Vera Stoelker (deceased). He has a cousin, Rita Lofquist who lives in California. The family wishes to thank the compassionate staff at Gentiva Health Services, Tammy Christensen, RN, Georgia Chantrill, RN, Vanessa Brown and neighbors, Clyde and Elaine Simon for always being on call. Memorial services will be held Friday, July 8, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. at the Metcalf Mortuary Chapel, 288 West St. George Blvd., St. George, Utah. Arrangements entrusted to the care of Metcalf Mortuary, (435) 673-4221.