Jesse Leon Coulter

Dr. Coulter, 92, died September 1, 2017. Born May 13, 1925, in Statesville, North Carolina, he was the son of the late George Phillip Coulter and Julia Elizabeth Stroud Coulter. Following graduation from Newton High School, Dr. Coulter received a bachelor’s degree in science from North Carolina State University, a masters degree from Appalachian State University, and a doctorate in education from Florida State University.

He was proud of his military service. During World War II, Dr. Coulter was in the Army Specialized Training Program (ASTP), until he was assigned to the Ninety-ninth Infantry Division as a mortar man. He fought in the Battle of the Bulge in the Ardennes Forest of Belgium, the Battle of Elsenborn Ridge, the Battle of the Remagen Bridge, and the Battle of the Ruhr Pocket. The Ninety-ninth Infantry Division liberated two labor camps and the Mühldorf concentration camp. For its service in the Battle of the Bulge, the Ninety-ninth Infantry was awarded a Presidential Unit Citation. Dr. Coulter was also awarded the Bronze Star.

Dr. Coulter was a college professor at Lees-McRae College and Catawba College. He was the first director of education at J. Iverson Riddle Developmental Center, formerly Western Carolina Center for Children. He also taught at Central Piedmont Community College for twenty-six years.

He was member of Wedgewood Baptist Church, where he served as the chairman of the Board of Deacons, and of St. John’s Baptist Church. He served as president of the Ninety-ninth Infantry Division Association and was a member of Phi Delta Kappa, an organization for educators, and the Lions Club. He especially championed international students at Central Piedmont Community College.

Dr. Coulter had a curiosity about all fields of human endeavor, especially science, history, and other cultures. He was a loyal son, devoted husband, dedicated father, and compassionate friend.

Dr. Coulter was predeceased by Joyce Lemons Coulter, his wife of fifty-five years; his parents; his sister, Murrell Coulter Bissette; his brother-in-law, Jasper H. Bissette; and his nephew, Lawrence Bissette.

He is survived by his daughter, Janice Vinton Coulter, and his daughter’s companion Tonda Anne Taylor, both of Charlotte; his nephews and their wives, George and Barbara Bissette of Yadkinville, North Carolina, Kenneth and Peggy Bissette of Newton, North Carolina, and Lawrence’s widow, Elizabeth Bissette of Conover, North Carolina, and their families; as well as his cousin, George Lemons of Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

The family thanks his caretakers, Vivian Jones, Norma Waller, Mary Massey, Deborah Gill, and Shana Alexander for their steadfast kindness, and his dedicated physicians, Charles E. Ferree, MD and Ornob P. Roy, MD.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that those making memorials consider a contribution to Public Library of Charlotte & Mecklenburg County, 310 North Tryon Street, Charlotte, North Carolina 28202, or the Scholarship Fund of the Central Piedmont Community College Foundation, Post Office Box 35009, Charlotte, North Carolina 28235-5009.

A memorial service will be held at St. John's Baptist Church at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, September 11, 2017. A gathering will be held with a luncheon following the service.