Winton Joseph Vidrine

Winton Joseph Vidrine, a native of Plaisance, who devoted 44 years of his life to working for wildlife and fisheries, ultimately serving as a colonel for 25 years, peacefully passed away on March 2, 2024. Born on January 5, 1944, Winton's unwavering commitment to his career left a lasting impact on those around him.

Winton joined the LDWF as an enforcement agent in January 1970. When hired on, there was no formal training for LDWF agents, and he was put out in the field on his first day in civilian clothes, driving his own truck and carrying his personal pistol. He received his Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) certification in the fall of 1970 and worked out of the Opelousas office mostly working boating, night-hunting, and fish-shocking cases. In 1972, Winton was instrumental in creating the Louisiana Wildlife Agents Association to help organize agents statewide into a collective unit. He was awarded the LDWF “Outstanding Agent of the Year” in 1975 and continued working his way through the ranks to lead the agency in 1988. His top priority for the enforcement division was training. Beginning in 1990, he implemented a more-tailored training program for LDWF cadets that included classes on fisheries and wildlife management laws, driving while intoxicated detection, migratory game bird and fish identification, boating, and search-and-rescue training. In 2001, LDWF initiated their first fully accredited and POST-certified Cadet Academy that was completely taught and run by LDWF agents. Winton also oversaw every agent being issued a pistol beginning in the 1990s, initiation of the Maritime Search and Rescue course in the 2000s, the Maritime Special Response Team in 2010 and the first state to be accredited in the National Association of Safe Boating Law Administrator’s Boat Operation and Training program in 2011. He was part of the Louisiana Wildlife Agent Association, Elks Lodge, Louisiana Sheriff's Association, St. Landry Sheriff's Association, and a parishioner at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church.

In his spare time, Winton loved to entertain friends and family. Cooking was his passion and not a soul in Louisiana could resist his pralines. When he wasn't in the kitchen, he could be found fishing at the farm, duck hunting at his camp, or tending to his garden. 

In the wake of his passing, Winton is survived by his beloved wife of sixty years, Jeanell Dupre Vidrine; his son, Gregory John Vidrine; along with the mother of his grandchildren, Jeanne Quirk. He will be deeply missed by his grandchildren, Ashley Lauryl Clark, known to many as “Puddin”, her husband Micah, and Colby Jarett Vidrine, as well as his great-grandchildren, Hayden Clark, and Ava Claire Clark; his brother, Hubert Vidrine, Jr., and sister-in-law Tammy; and his sister-in-law, Pat Rabalais. 

Winton was preceded in death by his parents, Hubert Vidrine, Sr., and Lillian Miller Vidrine; as well as his brothers Hulen "Sam" Vidrine and James Ronald Vidrine; and his sister, Bonnie Belle Vidrine. Their memories will forever be cherished by those who knew them.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Washington on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at 12:00 PM. Fr. Matthew Higginbotham will celebrate the Mass.  Rite of Committal and interment will follow in the St. Peter Catholic Church Cemetery in Grand Prairie.

Visitation will be on Monday, March 4, 2024, from 1:00 PM to 8:00 PM in the Skip Montet Memorial Chapel at Lafond Ardoin Funeral Home of Opelousas. A rosary will be recited at 6:00 PM by Deacon Dwayne Joubert. Visitation will continue on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, in the funeral home from 8:00 AM to 11:30 AM. 

Pallbearers include Hubert Vidrine Jr., Keith Vidrine, Brian Carroll, Colby Vidrine, Micah Clark and Hayden Clark. Honorary Pallbearers include Greg Vidrine, Patrick Morrow, Van Christian, Stanley Lee, and all of his Wildlife Enforcement Agents.

Of all his accomplishments, he was proudest of his family. He never missed an opportunity to dote on those he loved the most. His legacy of dedication and love for his family will continue to live on in the hearts of all those who had the privilege of knowing him. May he rest in peace.