Michael Coers Obituary

COERS, MICHAEL, 62, died Sunday, March 18, 2007 at his home in Louisville after a long illness. Coers, a native of Indianapolis, IN , was a prize-winning photographer for The Courier-Journal who helped the newspaper win two Pulitzer Prizes. During the busing demonstrations in Louisville in the mid-1970s, his photo of a white child and a black child together in a classroom became an icon of reconciliation and the lead image in the package the newspaper sent to the Pulitzer jury. Coers, who was known for his generosity and ready humor and for the warm relationships he maintained with his friends and colleagues after the onset of his illness and subsequent retirement, was a photographic generalist. He was known for his mastery of studio photography (on one memorable assignment for the newspaper's Scene magazine, he devised a smoke-and-mirrors method of photographing head-on a bullet emerging from the barrel of a handgun). On assignments outside the newspaper building, he was something of an adventurer. If the assignment involved shooting from a jet fighter, hot-air balloon or rapids- churned raft, he could be counted on to volunteer for the job. In 1985, the National Press Photographers Association gave Coers its Humanitarian Award for "playing a key role in the saving of lives or in rescue situations". He was the son of Rev. Morris H. Coers, founder of the Garden of Hope and was a member of Immanuel Baptist Church in Covington. He was a 1966 graduate of Eastern Kentucky University. He is survived by his former wife, June Clausen Coers; son, John Coers (Selene), of Ottenheim, KY; grandchildren, Jessica and Deanna Coers. Funeral service: 10 a.m. Thursday at Pearson Ratterman Brothers Funeral Home, 12900 Shelbyville Rd., with burial to follow in St. Sylvester Cemetery, Lincoln Co., KY. Visitation: 4-8 p.m. Wednesday. Memorials to Supporting Heroes, P.O. Box 24435, Louisville, KY 40224-0435

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Published by Courier-Journal on Mar. 20, 2007.

Memories and Condolences
for Michael Coers

9 Entries

Jessica Coers

March 23, 2007

I am going to miss him dearly. He was the best grand-father any person can ask for. i have a lot of fond memories of him and so does me sister. i didnt realize until now how much he touched peoples lives. i am very proud to call him my grandpa.

David Rains

March 22, 2007

I was saddened when I heard of Mike’s passing. We met at Eastern Kentucky University at the “Milestone” yearbook. Mike was an excellent photojournalist,a consummate professional and a good person. I have many fond memories of that time. His influence inspired me to pursue a career in newspaper photojournalism that spanned over thirty years. My sincere and heartfelt condolences to his family and friends.

Libby Combs Harris

March 21, 2007

Michael and I were in the Holmes High School Class of 1962. I have fond memories of him with his camera working for the Holmespun.Mike was great to get just the right shots for my stories I assigned as news editor. I still have some of those pictures. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.

Bob Ringham

March 20, 2007

I was a student at Jefferson Community College and Michael came and spoke to our journalism class and he helped shape my future as a photojournalist. I would go on assignments with him and he showed me how to look at light and see story-telling images. He pop into my life when I needed a helping hand and I will always remember him giving me chance to grow as a photojournalist and it would be great to have one last beer together.

Paul Gordon

March 20, 2007

Mike and I first met at the Hyden Mine Disaster in 1970, and instantly became good friends. I worked with him at the Kentucky Derby for about 12 years. I enjoyed his friendship and will surly miss him. May God Bless his family. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

:Phillip Connley

March 20, 2007

Michael and I grew up in Covington where we attended 6th District School and Holmes High graduating in 1962. We were on the Holmespun school paper staff which I edited our senior year. He was the photographer. We won a Quill and Scroll national award for a story on the transit of the planet Mercury across the sun. I wrote the story and Mike snappd the photo which clinched the prize, the first of many for him. I have fond memories of my friend (an Easter vigil at the Garden of Hope overlooking Covington)and shall miss him. My sympathies go to his family. Rev. Phillip E. Connley

Jon Webb

March 20, 2007

Back in the late 60's and early 70's, arguably the best days of Courier-Journal and Louisville Times photography, Mike Coers was among the youngest of the young turks in the photo department and created countless benchmark images. I'll remember the good times, Mike, and I'm grateful to have been there and known you.

Jerry David Melloy

March 20, 2007

Michael was a true friend and a very special man. We spent many hours together "solving the mysteries of the world." God Bless to family.

Stan Denny

March 19, 2007

Michael was one of that group of newspaper people that made the Courier-Journal and The Louisville Times the 'real deal' which many of us still remember fondly and with considerable melancholy when we pick up today's editions. God rest you Brother.

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