Douglas Kent Winton passed away on April 25, 2008 after a valiant twelve month battle with cancer. Born in San Francisco on April 7, 1939, Kent was the son of Assemblyman Gordon Winton, Jr. and Agnes Mattson Winton.

Kent grew up in Merced, California, and since about the age of 10 he developed a strong affinity to the game of golf. His passion for the game was so strong that he often rode his bike or hitchhiked the seven miles from his home to the local golf course. While at Merced High School, Kent led the golf team, was first chair trumpet in the school band, and achieved the prestigious Eagle Scout rank. No stranger to hard work, he spent his summers packing fruit at the local cannery, leading mules up the Yosemite trails, and tarring roofs. Those experiences influenced Kent's desire to master the game of golf and succeed at business. Kent's dedication and skill eventually earned him a golf scholarship to Stanford University and arguably the title of "the best golfer in Merced history."

While at Stanford, he became a member of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity, was recognized as an All American Golfer, graduated with a BS in Electrical Engineering in 1961 and an MBA in 1963. He went on to lead a successful career in the IT Industry. Smart, witty and cheerfully loud, Kent traveled the globe developing friendships everywhere he went. He continued to work as an IT consultant until his death.

As the patriarch of the Winton clan, Kent's love, humor and strong opinions will be greatly missed. Kent is survived by the love of his life and wife Nancy of 36 years; his sister, Salli Sue Sammut; his children, Kelly (Jim Toney) and Canda (Kevin Palattao), Kevin (Amy) and Carter; his grandchildren Nicholas, Victoria, Seve, Conor, Camden, and Damon.

Services will be held on Thursday, May 1, 2008, at 1:00 PM at the Menlo Park Presbyterian Church, where Kent and Nancy have attended for many years. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to Stanford Men's Golf Team (641 East Campus Drive, Stanford, CA, 94305) or Pathways Hospice Foundation (585 North Mary Avenue, Sunnyvale, CA, 94085; 408 773-4101).