Arthur O. "Cowtown" Coultas Jr.

Arthur O. “Cowtown” Coultas, Jr, 81, of Elberfeld, IN, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Saturday, February 6, 2016, at Select Specialty Hospital. He was born on April 26, 1934 in Hawesville, KY to the late Art and Pearl (Cavender) Coultas.

He was a 1952 graduate of Reitz High School. He served his country in the Naval Reserves for 8 years. Cowtown owned and operated a gas station on the west side of Evansville for a few years and worked as a welder at Arkla Industries for over 30 years.

He had a love for horses from a very young age, and he and his first wife, Jessie and three daughters went on to raise Appaloosa horses at his Cowtown Posse Ranch. He enjoyed competing at local horse shows and won many trophies with his beloved stallion, “Whitey.”

He took his family and four of his better horses to Eminence, MO, every summer to attend the “Cross Country Trail Ride.” They would camp out all week with thousands of other trail riders. Cowtown became a “living legend” down there as he entertained thousands with his singing of country ballads around campfires every night. He made many friends across the United States while attending these rides. Some still send him Christmas cards and fan mail.

Friends used to trailer their horses to the Cowtown Posse Ranch every Sunday just to be a part of Cowtown’s weekly trail rides. Every New Year’s Day we would plan a big ride and have someone meet us out on the trail with a big hot pan of chili. It didn’t matter if it was snowing or icy, we went anyway.

Cowtown was also a self-taught blacksmith who became “one of the best” in the tri-state. There wasn’t a horse anywhere the he couldn’t get a set of shoes on. He could tell how the horse’s hoof needed to be trimmed just by watching the horse walk.

Cowtown also had a gift for playing the guitar and singing. He was the featured singer every week on the “Bob Berry Show” that aired in the 1960’s. He warmed up the Roberts Stadium as the opening act before Buck Owens took the stage, back when Buck Owens was at his peak. He also shared the stage with other greats such as Merle Haggard. He entertained at many Saddle Club parties, Arkla Christmas parties, Oakland City Corn Fests and local fairs. He had such a big personality and was often asked if he could ever just be the emcee for various shows. He sure knew how to please a crowd and make the party fun.

Cowtown was a “people person.” He never met a stranger or missed a chance to brag on someone about something. If he knew you, he’d be your biggest cheerleader!

Cowtown was a member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Evansville, IN. He had a strong love for the Lord and never missed an opportunity to witness to people he came into contact with about all that Jesus had done for him.

Cowtown was an avid motorcycle rider and loved the feeling he would get while riding one of his Harley’s. He has even had the misfortune of killing two deer at two different times while riding his Harley and lived to tell about it! He really was a “tough old bird.”

In latter years, he and his beloved wife, Diane, enjoyed traveling to tri-state flea markets. He acquired quite a collection of tools and was known as the “tool man” down at the Greenville, KY flea market, where he and his daughter, Faith, would set up a booth weekly.

Cowtown was a very dedicated husband, father and grandfather. He loved spending time with his family and deeply cherished his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Joyce Scales; and first wife of 38 years, Jessie (Estes) Coultas.

Left to cherish his memory is his wife of 21 years, M. Diane Coultas, daughters, Phyllis Kirk of Newburgh, Darla Collins (Kenny) of Evansville, IN, Faith Bentley of Evansville, IN; step-daughter, Paula Alvey of Evansville, IN; siblings, Doris Bowers (Ron) of Indianapolis, IN, Jean Sokeland West (Commodore) of Evansville, IN, Victor Coultas (Paula) of St. Phillips, IN, Stephen Coultas (Sandy) of Lafayette, IN; grandchildren, Melissa Broshears, Amber Duncan, Keith Springston, Kendall Harp, Alicia Winkler, David Alvey, Shane Pierson; and 12 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM, Thursday, February 11, 2016, at Alexander Newburgh Chapel officiated by Pastor Richard Norris with burial in Barnett’s Chapel Cemetery in Elberfeld, IN. Friends may visit Wednesday, 3-7 PM, and Thursday 10:00 AM until service time at the funeral home.