James 'Jim' Coulter

JAMES "JIM" COULTER

New Sharon

James "Jim" Coulter, 85, of New Sharon, passed away Monday, Dec. 14, 2015, at Crystal Heights Care Center in Oskaloosa. Funeral services will begin at 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 18, at Holland-Coble Funeral Home in What Cheer. Burial will be in the Sixteen Cemetery, near Thornburg. Visitation will begin at noon Thursday with family present from 5 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Central Iowa.

Friends may sign the online guestbook at www.hollandcoblefuneral

homes.com.

James Darrell Coulter was born Sept. 13, 1930, in What Cheer, Iowa, the son of Warren and Marie Grudgings Coulter. He was a 1948 graduate of What Cheer High School. While a senior in high school, James enlisted in the Iowa National Guard so he could continue to help his parents on their farm. On Sept. 29, 1951, James was united in marriage to Lenora McCulley, at the Little Brown Church in Nashua. Soon after the couple started a family and began buying farmland. In 1959, Jim purchased two broodmares from his father and so began his lifelong passion as an owner, breeder, trainer and driver of standardbreds. Over time, both James and his father's names earned a spot in the Iowa Harness Horse Hall of Fame. In 1983, Jim was instrumental in lobbying Iowa legislators to bring Pari-Mutuel Racing to Iowa. It was important to him that people knew harness racing was an honest, family oriented business that most any family could enjoy together. Over the years, Jim served as director of the United States Trotting Association District 4, Iowa Harness Horsemen Association, Hawkeye Colt Association, Southern Iowa Fair and the Keokuk County Fair. He was past president of the Midwest Racing Circuit and North Mahaska School District School board. Jim also served as Adams Township trustee and was a member of the Lacey United Methodist Church. Of all the positions he held over the years, being a devoted husband to his wife meant the most to him. By simply loving and respecting his best friend of 64 years his children developed respect, admiration and love for their father. Jim loved his children and grandchildren, who to this day refer to him as "Bunker," enough that he never hesitated to give praise or a little tough love if need be.

Jim will be remembered by many as an honest, humble, hardworking man whose presence made the world a better place.

He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant sister, Barbara Coulter; a sister-in-law, Annette Coulter; and two brothers-in-law, Glenn McKain and Elmer Behrens.

Jim is survived by his wife, Lenora Coulter of New Sharon; two daughters, Diana (Randy) Fuqua of Springdale, Ark., and Janna (Jim) Hawkins of South Padre Island, Texas; a son, Rodney (Victoria) Coulter of Warner Robins, Ga.; two sisters, Jeannine Duncan of What Cheer and Dottie Behrens of Des Moines; also a brother, Dan Coulter of Traer. Jim also leaves behind six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.