It is with loving respect and sadness that we announce the passing of Harold William Van Winkle on Sunday, March 29, 2026, at the age of 90.

Harold  was born to William “Tony” and Anna May Van Winkle on October 27, 1935, in Alamogordo, New Mexico. He was a talented Alamogordo Tiger student and athlete but was drawn to music through his love of the French Horn and an influential band director, William Rhodes. After graduating from Alamogordo High School in 1953, Harold earned his bachelor's degree and later a Master's Degree in Music Education from Eastern New Mexico University in Portales. It was there that he met the love of his life, Darlene Sprawls. They were married in June of 1956 and spent the next 67 years together. Harold was a wonderful father to two children, Ken and Laura. In 1958, he began his teaching career as the band director at Gaddis Junior High in Clovis, New Mexico. In 1960 he moved to Tucumcari, New Mexico as the high school band director and in 1962, became the Alamogordo, New Mexico High School Band Director. Harold always had first division bands and was recognized as a leader of music education in the state. In 1975, Harold was hired as Director of Bands at the University of New Mexico (UNM) in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He directed the UNM marching band and founded the Zia Marching Fiesta in 1978. He was also the conductor of the UNM Wind Symphony and retired as chairman of the music department in 1992. During his retirement, he conducted the Albuquerque Concert Band for several years. Harold was a member of the New Mexico Music Educators Association (Past President, Music Educator of the Year), the College Band Director National Association, and the prestigious American Bandmasters Association. He is a member of the New Mexico Music Educators Hall of Fame and the Eastern New Mexico Band Directors Hall of Fame. Harold was a positive influence on thousands of students during his teaching career, many whom give him credit for life skills far beyond music.

After retiring from UNM, Harold spent the next 25 years as an accomplished water color artist. He began painting after taking a watercolor class at church. He spent one year as an art student of James Whitlow, who encouraged his talent and supported his “second” career. Harold's hundreds of paintings have won numerous awards in juried shows and eventually earned him membership as a signature artist in the New Mexico Watercolor Society and the Western Federation of Watercolor Societies. Family members, former music students and colleagues have Harold Van Winkle paintings hanging in their homes and offices.

Harold was preceded in death by his parents, “Tony” and Anna May and brother, Kenneth. He is survived by his son, Ken and wife Eva; daughter, Laura Duva and husband Rod; granddaughter, Amber and husband Jacob; great granddaughter, Calla; and Buddy, the four-legged terror that gave him so much joy.

There will be a service celebrating the lives of Harold and Darlene Van Winkle on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at 2:00 pm at the Alamogordo Funeral Home, 2301 First Street, Alamogordo, New Mexico. A reception will follow at 2554 Adobe Ranch Court, Alamogordo, NM.

The Van winkle family has entrusted their loved one to the care of Alamogordo Funeral Home to direct the services.

For those of you who cannot attend, this service will be available through live stream video located at the bottom of the obituary page.