Jesse Wadsworth Couch

Jesse Wadsworth Couch, 94, passed away, after a two week battle with pneumonia, on the 4th of March 2015 with his family at his side. Jesse was born the 2nd of March 1921 in Atlanta, Georgia to Jesse Newton Couch and Laura Wadsworth Couch. He attended Episcopal High School in Alexandria, Virginia and graduated in 1940. His education was interrupted by three years of service in the United States Army Air Corps as a Pilot. He served in the Air Transport Command in the United States and in India and was discharged in 1946 as a Captain. Jesse graduated from Princeton in 1947 with an A.B. degree in Political Science. He began his business career with the First National Bank of Houston. In 1952, he joined the Wray Insurance Agency. In 1957, the partnership of Wray, Couch and Elder was formed. In 1964, the firm was merged with Marsh and McLennan of Texas. He remained with the company as Vice-President until his retirement in 1984.

Jesse was an avid golfer and club champion who made two holes in ones during his life. He enjoyed hunting and fishing plus he loved flying his planes for pleasure and business.

He was a founding member of St. Martin’s Episcopal Church and served on its vestry. He also served on the Executive Board of the Diocese of Texas and on the board of St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital. Jesse served on the Aviation Committee of the Houston Chamber of Commerce, the boards of Sheltering Arms, The Houston SPCA, The Museum of Fine Arts, The Greater Houston YMCA, The Houston Arboretum and Nature Center, The American Cancer Society of Houston, The American Cancer Society Texas Division, The Eagle Lake Rod and Gun Club and the Fidelity Bank and Trust Company. Jesse was a member of Allegro, US Seniors Golf Association, the Houston Country Club and the Bayou Club.

Jesse was preceded in death by his first wife of 52 years, Charlotte “Toddy” Couch; and his son, Collins.

He is survived by his wife, Charlotte Harman Couch; his daughter, Laura Couch; grandsons, Hunter Couch and Sean Couch and his wife, Brittney; granddaughter, Kimberly Kelly and her husband, Juan and their son, Kaden of Santa Fe, New Mexico; and his step-son, John Kress Williams, Jr. and his children.

Friends are cordially invited to a reception with the family from half past four o’clock in the afternoon until half past six o’clock in the evening on Saturday, the 7th of March at Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.

The family is very thankful for the years of dedicated service provided lovingly by his caregivers, Jesse Guzman, Tim Guzman, Johnny Peralta and Brian Perdomo. The family especially thanks Roselia Paz for her 30 years of heartfelt and faithful service.

In lieu of the customary remembrances, the family requests memorial contributions in Jesse’s memory, to be directed to Episcopal High School, 1200 N. Quaker Lane, Alexandria, Virginia 22302-3000, and the Houston SPCA or to the Houston Arboretum and Nature Center.