Charles Myron Coulson Jr.

A proud New Jersey native, Chuck was born and raised in Jersey City; the only son of Charles Sr. and Marie (Momberger) Coulson and doting big brother to sisters Marilyn and Carol. A move Midwest to attend and play football at Hope College resulted in him meeting his soulmate and wife of over 65 years, Donna Staal. After graduation, he served as a commissioned officer in the Navy for four years before starting and raising his own family in Kentwood, Michigan.

Chuck enjoyed a long, successful career in sales with Steelcase, Inc. and still managed to find the time and energy to coach youth football and softball, teach Sunday school and start an academic booster club at East Kentwood High School. He also spearheaded the successful effort to construct the high school’s indoor ice hockey arena which recently celebrated its 40th year in operation. Taking an early retirement in 1994, Chuck and Donna then relocated to Mt. Shasta, California (after their kids had each moved to the west coast), where Chuck became active in Habitat for Humanity and relished life at his hilltop home with five acres of woods and gorgeous mountainside views. There he could regularly be found chopping and stacking wood and clearing brush, intent on creating a “park-like setting.” He also learned to downhill ski for the first time in Mt. Shasta and it became a passion, as was his lifelong love of history and reading everything he could about WWII.

After spending nearly two decades in Mt. Shasta and then Duvall, Washington, Chuck and Donna, along with their daughters (and family), decided to come “full circle” and return home to West Michigan in 2019. These last few years of togetherness have been a tremendous blessing for the whole family and brought an opportunity for Chuck to reconnect with his Hope College fraternity brothers and fellow Steelcase retirees, which he thoroughly enjoyed.

Chuck was a man of great faith who constantly stressed that nothing in this life is more important than what we can do for others.

Chuck was preceded in death by his loving parents; dear son Michael (who sadly passed from brain cancer in October 2019); and brothers-in-law Nick Lamendola and Bob and Jim Staal. He will be lovingly remembered and deeply missed by his devoted wife, Donna; daughters Leslie and Susan (Jarred) Burchard; daughter-in-law, Lori; and six adored grandchildren: Aidan, Brady, Courtney, and Lindsay Coulson, and Evan and Danielle Burchard; as well as sisters Carol and Marilyn (Roy) Lamendola; and several nieces and nephews who he also cherished.

Chuck Coulson was a true original (one-of-a-kind) who always led with kindness, who touched a lot of lives over the course of his 89 years, and without question made a difference for good in this world. Per his wishes, no funeral or memorial service will be held. If desired, donations may be made in his honor to either Faith Hospice or Habitat for Humanity. The family welcomes memories and messages at www.cookcaresbyron.com in their guestbook online.