Coulson Tough

1926 - 2022

Coulson was born on December 7, 1926 in Detroit Michigan. At the age of eight, he experienced the death of his Scottish-born father and an end to his boyhood innocence as he was proclaimed the man of the family. Despite being poor and fatherless, Coulson claimed to have had had a very happy childhood, in part because all of his friends were poor, too. Coulson took the lead among his friends to organize after-school baseball, hockey, etc. He was one of the very brightest students receiving the opportunity to attend Cass Academy, where he graduated in 1944, earning the first of many honors, the American Legion award.

He then, at the age of 17, eagerly enlisted in the Army Air Corps, serving in France and Germany, and at the time of his discharge had risen to the rank of sergeant. Upon his discharge, Coulson attended and graduated in 1951 from the University of Michigan where he earned a degree in architecture. On a blind date, he met vivacious, beautiful Colleen Bohn, who could always make him laugh, and after a whirlwind courtship, they married. The two were kindred spirits, sharing a fearlessness that welcomed new challenges. When Coulson received the call to Go West young man, Colleen was immediately on board and they spent their honeymoon driving to Burbank, California.

Coulson started his illustrious career as an architect with the University of California system, relocating to different campuses as Coulson's skills, precision, vision, work ethic and dependability were noted and valued. He was designated the lead architect in the construction from the ground up of the UC Irvine campus.

Coulson and Colleen lived life to the fullest. They would spend long sunny days at the beach with friends and their infant son, Bruce, bringing picnic baskets and playing volleyball and football. Coulson learned how to sail, joining the sailing team and eventually teaching Bruce to sail. In the evenings, they hosted barbeques and cocktails for friends and family. Their family was complete when their daughter, Cindy, was born. It was a fabulous life!

In 1968 Coulson was hired as VP of Facilities and Operations at the University of Houston where he directed the renovation and construction of several campus buildings. Coulson also traveled to several South American universities to consult in the design and construction of campuses.

In the early 1970s, Coulson met with George Mitchell to discuss the development of a UH satellite campus, similar to the one Coulson had opened in Clear Lake. Mitchell expressed his interest in hiring Coulson; in 1973, Coulson joined Mitchell's dream team that developed The Woodlands. Coulson also supervised many construction and renovation projects to revitalize Galveston for Mitchell. Coulson's fingerprints can be found throughout The Woodlands as he was associated with about 130 projects. It was also Coulson who spearheaded the outdoor sculpture program. After retiring at 77 as Senior Vice President, George Mitchell hired him to oversee the construction of the physics building at Texas A&M University.

Coulson was a charter member of TW Community Presbyterian Church, elected as Trustee of Conroe ISD, served as President of the S. Montgomery Cty Chamber of Commerce, founded the local chapter of Rotary, and served on several boards of directors. Some of his proudest honors were being selected a hometown hero, having a school in The Woodlands named after him, being selected a fellow of the American Institute of Architects and receiving a Rotary Paul Harris Fellowship Award.

Coulson is predeceased by his dear wife, Colleen, and precious daughter, Cindy, parents, Stewart and Mary Jane Tough, and siblings, Stewart and Agnes Tough. He is survived by beloved son and best friend, Bruce, daughter-in-law, Diana, grandchildren, Alex Grunenfelder, Madison, Tara, Abby and Sydney Tough, nephews and nieces, Scottish cousins, and good friends, like Cary Lindsay. A viewing will be held on Thursday, February 3, 2022, from 5:30 PM until 8PM at the Forest Park Funeral Home, located at 18000 Interstate 45 S, The Woodlands, TX 77384. A service will be held on February 4, 2022, at 2:00 PM at TW Community Presbyterian Church, located at 4881 W. Panther Creek Drive, The Woodlands, Texas 77381. Many thanks for the loving care of Cassie, Tina, Shawanda, Deja, Adriene etc. at Tina Reed's Caring Hands. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Coulson Tough Memorial Fund at TW Community Presbyterian Church.