Roll Call Tribute
John Coolidge Jr. '52 January 18, 2017 8:47 AM updated: January 18, 2017 8:50 AM
FOREST PARK WESTHEIMER FUNERAL HOME | FOREST PARK WESTHEIMER CEMETERY obituary
12800 WESTHEIMER ROAD, HOUSTON, TX 77077 | 281-497-2330
John Wilson Coolidge Jr.
November 8, 1930 - January 13, 2017
Memorial Service
Saturday, January 21, 2017 | 2:00 pm
Forest Park Westheimer
12800 Westheimer Rd, Houston, Texas 77077 | (281) 497-2330
Driving Directions
John Wilson Coolidge, Jr. of Houston, TX left this world to be with the Lord on January 13, 2017, at the age of 86. He passed peacefully at his home, surrounded by his family, following a four-year battle with cancer. He was preceded in death by his father, John Wilson Coolidge, Sr.; his mother Flaurance Meldrum Coleman Coolidge; and his brother Lee Coleman Coolidge. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Shirley Jean Wilson Coolidge, and by all four of his children: Sally Ann Coolidge Cheadle; Daniel Coleman Coolidge and his wife, Karen (Wallace); Andrew Wilson Coolidge and his wife, Courtney (Lutz); David Lee Coolidge and his wife, Ashley (Bell). He is also survived by all 10 of his grandchildren: Johnny Cheadle; Jena Coolidge McGovern and husband, Chris; Tyler Cheadle; Daniel Coolidge and wife, Heather; Katie Coolidge Wilson and husband, Landon; Kimberly Coolidge; Catherine Coolidge, Maddie Coolidge, Will Coolidge and Cole Coolidge.
John was born on November 8, 1930 in Dallas, Texas, where many of his relatives lived nearby. His father, John Sr., died unexpectedly in 1935 at the age of 41, just a few months after the birth of John's only sibling, Lee. John shared stories of how over the years when he lived in Dallas, several extended family members moved into the family's home on North Rosemont Street to help Flaurance raise and care for the two boys including their grandmother, Flaurance Brown Coleman; their great uncle Bill Coleman and his wife, Lula "Dudie" Coleman; and later Bill's younger brother, Edgar Coleman.
John was a 1948 graduate of Sunset High School and attended the Agricultural & Mechanical College of Texas (now Texas A&M University) where he earned a degree in Petroleum Engineering in 1953. While there, John was appointed to First Sergeant and Company Commander, A Troop Calvary; was a member of the Ross Volunteers and Senior Court; and was recognized as both a Distinguished Student and a Distinguished Military Student. After graduating, he was drafted into the army and served in Korea as a member of the 7th Infantry Regiment Tank Company. Following his military service, John began his 60 plus-year career. He met and married his beloved Shirley in 1956 and earned a Bachelor of Laws degree from the South Texas College of Law in 1959. After working 22 years at Trunkline Gas Company, he resigned to start a private law practice and gas gathering company. He finished his career sharing offices, working part time and serving as a board member for Conveying & Mining Equipment, Inc.
John led a very active social life and had several hobbies. He loved to play handball, and completed at least 6 marathons. He was a voracious reader of literature and poetry, enjoyed classical music and taking care of his many pets. He was an exceptional writer and life-long student of the English language. In later years, he was often seen with pen and pad in hand, writing the chronicles of his many travels and experiences. He also loved spending time with his family and dear friends at the family's beach house in Bolivar, and attending A&M football games in College Station. John was also a very generous and giving person who used his time and resources to help others, including serving as a board member of the Downtown YMCA for over 4 decades, as treasurer of the Houston Handball Association for 3 decades and as class agent for Texas A&M. However, what John treasured most were his family and the many life-long friendships he developed during his lifetime.
Funeral services will be held at Forest Park Westheimer Funeral Home, 12800 Westheimer Road in Houston, TX on Saturday, January 21, 2017 at 2:00 pm in the afternoon. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Texas A&M (www.aggienetwork.com/gift) and designate in the instructions "Gift for the Class of '52 in honor of John Coolidge" to celebrate his great love for his classmates.
Arrangements under the direction of Forest Park Westheimer Funeral Home, Houston, TX.
12800 WESTHEIMER ROAD, HOUSTON, TX 77077 | 281-497-2330
John Wilson Coolidge Jr.
November 8, 1930 - January 13, 2017
Memorial Service
Saturday, January 21, 2017 | 2:00 pm
Forest Park Westheimer
12800 Westheimer Rd, Houston, Texas 77077 | (281) 497-2330
Driving Directions
John Wilson Coolidge, Jr. of Houston, TX left this world to be with the Lord on January 13, 2017, at the age of 86. He passed peacefully at his home, surrounded by his family, following a four-year battle with cancer. He was preceded in death by his father, John Wilson Coolidge, Sr.; his mother Flaurance Meldrum Coleman Coolidge; and his brother Lee Coleman Coolidge. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Shirley Jean Wilson Coolidge, and by all four of his children: Sally Ann Coolidge Cheadle; Daniel Coleman Coolidge and his wife, Karen (Wallace); Andrew Wilson Coolidge and his wife, Courtney (Lutz); David Lee Coolidge and his wife, Ashley (Bell). He is also survived by all 10 of his grandchildren: Johnny Cheadle; Jena Coolidge McGovern and husband, Chris; Tyler Cheadle; Daniel Coolidge and wife, Heather; Katie Coolidge Wilson and husband, Landon; Kimberly Coolidge; Catherine Coolidge, Maddie Coolidge, Will Coolidge and Cole Coolidge.
John was born on November 8, 1930 in Dallas, Texas, where many of his relatives lived nearby. His father, John Sr., died unexpectedly in 1935 at the age of 41, just a few months after the birth of John's only sibling, Lee. John shared stories of how over the years when he lived in Dallas, several extended family members moved into the family's home on North Rosemont Street to help Flaurance raise and care for the two boys including their grandmother, Flaurance Brown Coleman; their great uncle Bill Coleman and his wife, Lula "Dudie" Coleman; and later Bill's younger brother, Edgar Coleman.
John was a 1948 graduate of Sunset High School and attended the Agricultural & Mechanical College of Texas (now Texas A&M University) where he earned a degree in Petroleum Engineering in 1953. While there, John was appointed to First Sergeant and Company Commander, A Troop Calvary; was a member of the Ross Volunteers and Senior Court; and was recognized as both a Distinguished Student and a Distinguished Military Student. After graduating, he was drafted into the army and served in Korea as a member of the 7th Infantry Regiment Tank Company. Following his military service, John began his 60 plus-year career. He met and married his beloved Shirley in 1956 and earned a Bachelor of Laws degree from the South Texas College of Law in 1959. After working 22 years at Trunkline Gas Company, he resigned to start a private law practice and gas gathering company. He finished his career sharing offices, working part time and serving as a board member for Conveying & Mining Equipment, Inc.
John led a very active social life and had several hobbies. He loved to play handball, and completed at least 6 marathons. He was a voracious reader of literature and poetry, enjoyed classical music and taking care of his many pets. He was an exceptional writer and life-long student of the English language. In later years, he was often seen with pen and pad in hand, writing the chronicles of his many travels and experiences. He also loved spending time with his family and dear friends at the family's beach house in Bolivar, and attending A&M football games in College Station. John was also a very generous and giving person who used his time and resources to help others, including serving as a board member of the Downtown YMCA for over 4 decades, as treasurer of the Houston Handball Association for 3 decades and as class agent for Texas A&M. However, what John treasured most were his family and the many life-long friendships he developed during his lifetime.
Funeral services will be held at Forest Park Westheimer Funeral Home, 12800 Westheimer Road in Houston, TX on Saturday, January 21, 2017 at 2:00 pm in the afternoon. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Texas A&M (www.aggienetwork.com/gift) and designate in the instructions "Gift for the Class of '52 in honor of John Coolidge" to celebrate his great love for his classmates.
Arrangements under the direction of Forest Park Westheimer Funeral Home, Houston, TX.
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