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John Coulter Obituary
He was born in Sidney on March 11, 1931, the son of Walter and Marion (Satchell) Coulter, and lived in Sidney until joining the Marine Corps in 1948.
He married high school sweetheart Jean Hays in June of 1952, and they shared their lives together for nearly 42 years until Jean died in May of 1994. John married Clara McElfish of Poolesville, Md., in 1996, and during their time together they traveled the United States where he documented the beauty of our great country in photographs. Clara passed away in November of 2002 after a brief illness.
His Marine Corps career spanned 30 years from 1948 until 1978. While in the Marines, he served duty in Korea and two tours in Vietnam. He also served as a drill instructor at Parris Island Marine Corps Recruit Depot and as an air traffic controller.
During his military career, he earned several awards and commendations including Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Navy Presidential Unit Citation (two), Navy Unit Commendation, Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation, Good Conduct (10), National Defense Service Medal (two), Korean Service Medal (three), Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Vietnam Service Medal (four), Korean Presidential Unit Citation, Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation, Vietnam Civil Actions Unit Citation, United Nations Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal and Rifle Expert (three) and Pistol Expert (four).
He retired from the Marine Corps in 1978, while leading the Marine Wing Support Group 27 in Cherry Point, N.C., as the group sergeant major. He remained active in Marine Air Traffic Controllers and Kilo Company reunions until his passing.
After retirement from the Marine Corps, he acted on his passion for photography by working in a portrait and photo equipment business.
He and Jean moved back to Masonville in the early 1980s, where he lived until 2006, when he moved to Sidney.
Survived by daughter, Pamela (William) Pacilli, of Tampa, Fla.; two sons, Michael (Sherri) Coulter, of Des Moines, Iowa, and Scott (Penny) Coulter, of Apple Valley, Minn.; eight grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
He was loved by many and though we grieve for his loss, we can be happy that he is at peace and watching over us now. He will be missed greatly by his family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Injured Marines Semper Fi Fund, 825 College Blvd., Suite 102 PMB 609, Oceanside, CA 92057; www.semperfifund.org.
Friends may call from 1 to 3 p.m. Friday, Sept. 7, 2007, at C.H. Landers Funeral Chapel, 21 Main St., Sidney. A memorial service will follow at 3 p.m. with Deacon James Shevlin of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Sidney officiating.
Graveside services with full military honors will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 8, 2007, in Prospect Hill Cemetery in Sidney.
Arrangements by C.H. Landers Funeral Chapel, Sidney.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Alisha
September 25, 2007
Dear Grandpa,
You have been gone now for 22 days and I miss you terribly. My birthday has come and gone and not hearing your voice or recieving an inspirational letter from you has really made this birthday extremely hard for me.
Last year at this time we were planning my wedding with you dreading the trip to Las Vegas but, you came. I can't believe that was almost a year ago and you walked me down the isle and gave me away. Giving you away has been the hardest thing I have ever had to do. I miss our calls on Sunday, I miss hearing your laugh,I miss your advice, and all your jokes. I am glad I got to hear your laugh one more time before you left. I will see you again one day, until then, please watch over us, and know that we think about you often.
ALDO "MICK" MAZZONI
September 13, 2007
YOU HAVE MY AND ARLENE'S SYMPATHY. THE SGT. MAJOR WAS AN EXCELLENT MARINE WHO WILL BE SADLY MISSED. SEMPER FI
Gerry Hemming
September 8, 2007
We are losing Marines "downrange in the sandbox" every day, and it saddens all of "We Few" of the "Old Corps" -- and even more so when warriors like John have indeed given so much in the service to country and family.
G.S. Pahl
September 7, 2007
To the Coulter Family: We were deeply saddened to learn of the loss of John. He was a friend for almost sixty years and he will be sorely missed. We first met when we were assigned to the Air Traffic Control Tower at MCAS Cherry Point NC in 1948. We served together there and later in Korea in 1951/1952. We have maintained contact over the years. John was an excellent controller, a treasured friend and an outstanding Marine. Lois and I extend out heartfelt coldolences to the Coulter family. May God be with you during this difficult time.
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Debbie Trees-Vilardi
September 7, 2007
I remember "cousin John's" bearing, such a figure of pride. Pride in his family, his country and his life. More of us should be able to live and die bold like this bigger than life man.
david crawley
September 7, 2007
semper fi marine. thanks for your leadership in getting us young marines thru difficult times while in tet fo 68. you WILL be remembered.
Gordon Hawley
September 6, 2007
I met John through our membership in the Lions Club and it continued through our mutual interest in photography, traveling and camping. We enjoyed many good visits at his Masonville home on our summer trips north.
Susan Osterhoudt
September 6, 2007
We are saddened at the loss of this man; we only knew him a short time but are so grateful for that. Our thoughts are with his entire family and his many, many friends.
Tom Klehr, Susan Osterhoudt, Emma and Audrey
Judy Atkins
September 6, 2007
Time is the only healer of your pain. But know that we are all with you in love if not in person.
Darcy Mikolon
September 6, 2007
Pam, Mike, Scott:
I will forever cherish the wonderful self portrait Uncle John gave me some years ago. Such a happy man, a larger than life character. May God bless you and your family at this difficult time by wrapping his arms around you and bringing you peace.
Your Cousin, Darcy (Kramer) Mikolon
Bryan Lash
September 6, 2007
As a young Marine second lieutenant, I had the honor of serving with Top Coulter when he was the First Sergeant of Kilo Co. Third Battalion/First Marines in Vietnam. Top Coulter was and is a Marine's Marine. His military bearing frequently gave way to his wicked sense of humor. On the occasion for the Bicentennial then Sgt Major Coulter was at Recruiting Station Edison, N.J. Somehow he located me on the retired Marine list of those living in NJ. He secretly made arrangements to have the artist in residence of the Marine Corps Major Waterhouse ( famous for his oil paintings of Marine history) paint a tiny gold Marine Corps emblem on a prosthetic eye obtained from the Philadelphia Naval Hospital. At the 1976 Marine Corps Ball, to which he had invited my wife and I, he made a special presentation to me with that bellowing laugh and I became the lucky owner of a Marine collectors edition fake eye. He knew I would cherish such an item and wear it proudly as I had lost my left eye in the battle for My Loc in 1968. Much to Top's amusement, the Navy Corpsman he sent to get the eye had inadvertently gotten a right eye instead. At the last reunion with Sergeant Major Coultier we were in tears laughing about that. He never forgot His Marines. We will miss you Sergeant Major.
Semper Fi,
Bryan J. Lash
Second Lieutenant, USMCR
Sgt Ramon Gallegos
September 6, 2007
You will be missed.
Semper FI
George Olsen
September 6, 2007
Sgt. Major Coulter, I was a young Marine Lieutenant in Viet Nam when we first met. I will always remember your encouraging words and firm guiding hand. But most of all I will remember that wonderful smile that kept it all in perspective. Semper Fidelis, George Olsen
Charles Davis
September 6, 2007
With much sadness we bid farewell to John.
John has brightened the day for many people all his life, as I knew him as a Sidney Class of 1949 classmate. He was bright, a successful contributer to humanity as a marine and contiuing through life. Even through his recent battle with the health issues that took his life, he maintained a great sense of humor. An outstanding person, greatly missed.
Audrey Sumner
September 6, 2007
John will be missed by has family and friends. He is in a better place without the pain. We love you and our hearts go out yo you.
Missy (Leonard) Baker
September 6, 2007
I will certainly miss John's off-beat sense of humor. I will never forget when he would grab a lady's hand to kiss it and kiss his own hand instead. Or his quirky hats - KISMIF (keep it simple, make it fun). He used to visit MFG daily when I worked there - and kept us all laughing. I will miss you John!
Terry Palmetier
September 6, 2007
Pam, Mike, Scott,
My deepest sympathies on the loss of your Dad. Will always remember John's wonderful sense of humor and how it got us through Aunt Helen's passing. Love, (Cousin) Terry
Elliot and Betty Pritchard
September 6, 2007
It is sad to bid goodbye to a man that knew no strangers. John was most certainly a credit to the World and the community, and his friendly handshake and dry wit will be missed be anyone that ever crossed his path. May God bless you, John and all of your family.
Gloria Jean Sumner-Creeger
September 5, 2007
to Pam and family-I will truly miss Uncle John and have many fond memories of him and my daddy-He is now free to be together with Aunt Jean and Dad with our Lord.Semper Fi-Uncle John and God Speed
David & Dottie Butler
September 5, 2007
We send our deepest symphty to all the Coulter family. I totally enjoyed time spent with John over the past few years while in Sidney for the July Alum functions. He had a great sense of humor and many stories to tell. John we will miss you very much.
Tina Edwards
September 5, 2007
My deepest sympathy to John's family. I will miss his sense of humor around the apartment building.
Deacon Jim Shevlin, FHC
September 5, 2007
"Give rest, O Lord, to your servant John with your saints, where sorrow and pain are no more, neither sighng, but life everlasting."
Vickie Nelson and Family
September 5, 2007
Our hearts are heavy because we have lost such a special friend. One that made us laugh and feel good about ourselves and knew just when you needed a hug. In our hearts you will forever be. Each time we look at the many photographs we will think of you. God must have been in need of a good photographer. Love Vickie, Monte, Dianna, Betsy and Susan.
Roger McIntosh
September 5, 2007
To the family of Sgt. Major John Coulter from the Marine Corps family of the Marine Air Traffic Control Association; please accept our condolences for your loss. "Another Marine reporting, Saint Peter. He's served his time in hell."
Sharon Materazzo
September 5, 2007
Scott, Penny and all- our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this difficult time.
Jean Braddick (Coulter) Donna Brunson (Coulter)
September 5, 2007
Our condolence to your family, we have your family in our prayers.
Mike Coulter
September 5, 2007
Dad, I am so sorry that you are gone, but at least you are no longer in pain. Now you are with Mom, Grandma, and Clara. I wish I could be there but I cannot at this time.
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