Joel B. Coolidge

Joel Booth Coolidge, 87, born on the 25th of December 1922, went on to his reward on Friday, the 12th of March, 2010. He was born in Fort Worth, Texas to Clarence Earle and Mary Booth Coolidge moved to Houston in 1924 and attended Woodrow Wilson Elementary, Lanier Junior High and Lamar High School Class of ’39. He liked to say that he received his education at Texas A&M, class of ’44 and went to “trade school” at the University of Texas where he graduated in 1949 with a law degree. Joel was a member of the Corps of Cadets at Texas A&M where he was in “D Troop Cavalry” of the Sul Ross Volunteers. He was also a member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity at the University of Texas.

Joel maintained that the greatest adventure of his life was serving with the United States Army in World War II. He landed at Normandy several days after the initial invasion and commanded an M-8 assault tank, “El Diablo” as a member of Troop E, 18th Cavalry, Reconnaissance Squad Mechanized, during the Battle of the Bulge. Joel returned from Europe and was honorably discharged while at Fort Polk, training for an invasion of Japan.

Joel began his career with his father in the firm of Coolidge & Coolidge until starting Urban & Coolidge in 1963. He practiced law until 2002 when his health forced him to retire. Joel was a member of the State Bar of Texas, Houston Bar Association, and American Bar Association; Fellow, Texas Bar Association. He was a founder and past president of the “C” Club and served as County Chairman for the Conservative Democratic Party for many years. Joel was a Past President of the Houston A&M Club. He served as PTO President at Briargrove Elementary and also as Founder and President of the Westheimer Independent School District. He was an officer at the Houston Yacht Club, and the Galveston Bay Cruising Association, member of Texas Off-Shore Racing Association and the Houston Racquet Club. He also enjoyed his weekly lunch with the Friday Club, Saturday Breakfast Club and the monthly gatherings of the Supper Club.

As an accomplished sailor, Joel had many off-shore adventures including sailing from Spain to Maine, the “slide” down to Corpus Christi, the Vera Cruz Regatta and the Biloxi races where he won or placed in his favorite Cal-40. His most coveted wins were the Post and Chronicle trophies, still on display at the Houston Yacht Club. He also got into plenty of trouble with his long-time friend, Elbridge Gerry.

After “swallowing the anchor” (to use a Joel-ism) he loved hunting at the Double Eagle and Middle Creek Ranches, creating memories to endure for years to come. Joel most enjoyed the first and second generation pigeon shoots at the Double Eagle where he regaled folks with tall tales, war stories of Herman the German, and his recitation of a slightly revised Robert W. Service poem. “Whispering Joe” was truly a character in the first degree and will be sorely missed.

Joel was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Sue and his brothers-in-law Carl Robert Roemer and William G. O’Regan. He is survived by his daughters and sons-in-law, Ginger and Tim Kelley, their children Joel and Jack, and Gayle and Richard Hightower and their children, Jennifer and Wesley. He is also survived by his sister Marion O’Regan, his niece Daphne Walton and nephew Brian O’Regan.

The family would like to sincerely thank all of Joel’s care-givers at Treemont Health Care and Life Solutions Hospice Care. Special thanks to Ruthie Gates who has been by our side from our children to our parents, our forever friend.

The memorial service is to be held at one o'clock in the afternoon on Tuesday, the 16th of March, in the Sanctuary of St. Luke's United Methodist Church, 3471 Westheimer Road in Houston, where Dr. Tom Pace, senior pastor is to officiate.

In lieu of flowers and customary remembrances, please consider memorial contributions in Joel’s name to the Texas A&M Foundation; St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 22013, Houston, TX 77227-2013; Goodwill Industries of Houston, 10795 Hammerly Blvd., Houston, TX 77043; or the Houston Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, 2242 W. Holcombe Blvd., Houston, TX 77030.