Victor Elmo Coulson, Jr. of Union City, passed away on Friday, July 12, 2019 at Maple Lawn Medical Care Facility in Coldwater, MI at age 92 after a vibrant and active life.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, July 17, 2019 at Lighthouse Funeral & Cremation in Union City with Rev. Fr. Dan Hyman serving as Celebrant. Interment will be at Fort Custer National Cemetery in Augusta, MI on Wednesday, July 17, 2019 at 2:30 PM.
Visitation will be held from 2-4 and 6-8 PM on Tuesday, July 16, 2019 at Lighthouse Funeral & Cremation in Union City.
Vic was born on December 30, 1926 in Albion, MI to Victor and Luella (Schwer) Coulson, Sr. As a child of the Great Depression, Vic learned the value of hard work from an early age and kept that trait throughout his life.
He graduated from Albion High School in 1945, but finished his credits a semester early so he could serve in the U.S. Army during WWII. His mother proudly accepted his diploma for him on graduation day. Vic served in the Army from 1945-46 achieving the rank of sergeant and was a lifelong patriot. For 10 years he served as a volunteer Honor Guard on the Monday Squad at Fort Custer National Cemetery where he presented the flag to numerous bereaved families.
After retiring in 1988 as an assistant vice-president with Michigan National Bank, Vic took up many passions such as motorcycle riding across the country, hiking, gardening, golfing, watching Westerns and cheering on his beloved Detroit Lions and Tigers. He was an accomplished photographer who exhibited his photographs at numerous art fairs. He had a lifelong love of Indy 500 and NASCAR racing. He was particularly proud of his hole-in-one at Turtle Creek Golf Course.
Vic loved to travel and some of his favorite trips were walking the D-Day beaches of Normandy, France; visiting his daughter and family in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; catching beads during Mardi Gras festivities in Louisiana and visiting the church in County Durham, England where his great-great grandparents were married before immigrating to Canada. He was overjoyed to be part of the Michigan Honor Flight and visited the Washington, DC war memorials with other veterans.
Vic had a pilot’s license in his younger days and never lost his joy of flying in any mode. He loved his surprise 60th birthday hot air balloon ride which took off from his front yard, parasailing in Mexico, tandem parachute jumps from Brooks Field in Marshall, MI and his final flight in the WWII double wing Navy trainer Steerman.
Vic’s outgoing and engaging personality drew people to him. He never met a stranger and his family joked that he could make a brick wall talk. With his twinkling blue eyes and warm smile he cultivated friends far and near. He captivated his family with stories of growing up during the Great Depression and the gratitude he had for the life he had lived.
He was a lifetime member of the American Legion Post 298 and a former member of the Battle Creek Kiwanis and Lions clubs. Vic was a longtime member of Our Lady of Fatima Church in Union City where he was a Eucharistic minister and served on the Parish Council.
Vic is survived by his wife of 42 years, Mary Carey Coulson, whom he married in 1977; three daughters and sons-in-laws, Cynthia (William) Hanner of Battle Creek, Vicki (Douglas) Vance of Baton Rouge, LA and Elaine (Stephen) Cunningham of Albion; three grandsons, Michael (Carrie) Hanner, Scott Hanner and Matthew (Jennifer) Coulson; step-daughter Belinda (Pat) Hammond; step-son Russ (Julie) Carey; two special nephews whom he thought of as second sons, Denny and Jimmy Pewsey; niece and nephew, Nancy and Johnnie Woog; and numerous step-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his beloved son, Thomas; his former wife and mother of his four children, Janet Thomas Coulson; two sisters, Armetta (Mettie) Pewsey and Alberta (Bertie) Woog; and a stepson, John Carey.
The family would like to thank the staff at Maple Lawn Medical Care Facility in Coldwater for the warm and caring support they provided to Vic in his final years, particularly Tina, his angel. Although his mobility was compromised, he never gave up his zest for life. He buzzed around Maple Lawn on his scooter, finding it difficult to stay in “turtle speed” as promised.
A very special thanks is also given to the three “Baldwin Boys” for their generosity and kindness and to Tim Spiess for his numerous visits.
In lieu of flowers, contributions are suggested to the Fort Custer Honor Guard and the Battle Creek Lions Club.
