Clester Winningham

Clester Winningham, age 83 of Oviedo, passed away Friday, February 20, 2026. A devoted husband, father, grandfather, teacher, and coach, he poured his life into shaping young men and women both on and off the field. He was a faithful member of University Carillon Church.

He was born on March 7, 1942, in Livingston, TN to the late Lester and Ruby Dean (Maxfield) Winningham. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his twin brother, Lester Winningham; twin brothers, Richard and Rogers Winningham; and a sister, Phoenicia Winningham.

He is survived by his wife, Suzanne Winningham; his sons, Andy (Beth) Winningham, Stephen Winningham, and Matthew (Amy) Winningham; his grandsons, Zac (Jaid) Winningham and Ryan Winningham; and his brother, Hosea Winningham.

Clester earned a football scholarship to Tennessee Tech University, where he received his degree in education and later earned his master’s degree. In 1966, he married Suzanne Stephens, beginning a partnership that would span nearly six decades.

His coaching career began in Livingston, Tennessee, and soon led him to Westmoreland, where he served as head football coach until 1976. He later coached in Sparta and Manchester before settling in Tullahoma, Tennessee, where he would spend the majority of his career and ultimately retire in 2004.

Clester joined Tullahoma High School in 1981 and became Head Freshman Football and Track Coach the following year. During his tenure, he compiled a 137–49 record, celebrated three undefeated seasons, and was named the 1995–96 AAA Boys Track Regional Coach of the Year. His track and field teams earned 25 state championships, and he coached numerous individual state champions. Some of his proudest moments came not from trophies, but from coaching all three of his sons in football and track.

He was known not only for discipline and excellence but for joy. After a big win, he was believed to be the only Tullahoma High School coach to cruise Sonic and the mall in the “Yellow Dog” school bus, celebrating with his players and the community.

In 2007, Clester and Suzanne moved to Winter Springs, Florida, to be closer to their grandchildren. Soon after, he began volunteer coaching at Hagerty High School in Oviedo, where he coached both of his grandsons in football and track. His impact was so lasting that the school established an award in his honor, presented annually to the Most Improved Athlete.

A memorial service will be held at University Carillon Church, 1395 Campus View Court, Oviedo, Florida, on Saturday, March 7, at 11:00 a.m. (EST)

A graveside service will be held on Sunday, March 22, at 2:00 p.m. in Livingston, Tennessee.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (https://my.fca.org), an organization Clester faithfully supported.