Delbert Lewis Coulter

Delbert Lweis Coulter (August 12, 1932-June 27, 2011) Delbert Coulter was born on August 12, 1932 to Elmer and Letha Coulter. Delbert was born on the Coulter Homestead south of Walsh, Colorado. He had eight siblings. The kids went to High Point and Mitchell Schools. When Delbert was in High School his father became ill and Delbert had to quit school for one year so that he could support his familly. He worked for a rancher on the Cimarron River for fifty cents a day. He had his own horse so he got an additional five cents a day for the use of his horse. Delbert funished High School at Walsh. One of his favorite high school memories was that his high school basketball team in Walsh all dyed their hair red, permed it, and pierced their ears before the all important game with Springfield! They lost the game miserable, but loved the rivalry and the competition! On October 30, 1952 Delbert married Phyllis Taylor. They had four girls; Debbie Lynn, Della, Debbie Kay, and Docia. On September 24, 1953 Delbert was drafted into the United States Army. He was stationed in Ft. Sill, Oklahoma. Delbert worked as a helicopter mechanic during the Korean War. After the war he ran a hardware store in Walsh and repaired TVs and anything else that needed fixing. Eventually he began to work for Southeast Colorado Power. Delbert loved his girls but this marriage ended after 25 years. On June 1, 1979 Delbert married again to Gay Glover. At this time, his family grew by adding four more children, Debbie, Ray, Carol, and Troy. All of the children were grown and had moved on to live their own lives except for Troy who was in elementary school. Delbert didn't consider any of the kids to be "step" children... they were all the same in his mind and he loved each and every one of them. Delbert retired in 1997 after working for 43 years for Southeast Colorado Power Company. He enjoyed working with his hands, he found great satisfaction in fixing things that were broken, and he loved the comraderie of working with all the guys at the power company. Delbert enjoyed spending time with his family. He loved boating and taught all the kids to swim and waterski. Delbert was such a good skier that he would start from the bank instead of in the water, with a hat on his head and a cigarette in his mouth then he would slalom, or ski on one board, all around the lake and when he was finished he would ski right back up onto the bank and walk off with the cigarette and hat still in tact. He also enjoyed bowling, camping, and family get-togethers. His passion later in life became golfing and he and Gay spent almost everyday golfing after he retired. They would even go south during the winter so that they could continue golfing! He golfed as often as he could and even until the end of his battle with cancer. Delbert and Gay were married for thirty-two years and had lots of wonderful times together. Delbert lived a full life and was loved dearly by his wife, his eight children. His eighteen grandchildren, and his twenty-five great-grandchildren! Delbert was a great man and was respected by anyone who had the opportunity to meet him. Delbert was active in his community life as well, serving on recreation boards, town councils, Sheriff's Posse, and Mayer of Vilas for a time. Delbert was a member of the Vilas Friends Church. He was a man of great character and he was the same person no matter where he was at and who he was with. Delbert was preceded in death by both his parents, Elmer and Letha Coulter, his brother Floyd and his wife Opal, J. R. and his sisters Aleatha Fowler, Dixie Radine, and Francis and her husband Bud Silvey, as well as a daughter, Debbie Kay, two sons-in-law John Utley and Danny Cummings, a grandson, Damien Greenlee and a granddaughter Stacy Jo Glover. Delbert is survived by his wife, Gay of Vilas, his brother, Ernie and his wife, Lucille, his sisters; Oretha and her husband Delbert Ballinger; Una Mae and her husband, Jack Whisenhunt; a sister-in-law, Vi and brother-in-law, Eddie Fowler. He is also survived by his children, Debbie and her husband, Gene Carlton, Della Commings, Docia and Alan Cook, Debbie and her husband, Max Greenlee, Ray Glover, Carol and husband Greg Grahn, and Troy and his wife Tamara Coulter. He is also survived by 17, grandchildren and 25, great-grandchildren.