Jim was born on December 11, 1943 to Frank Gordon and Mabel Goff Coolsen of Mt. Vernon, Illinois and spent part of his childhood in Lexington, Kentucky. He moved to the Cumberland Valley in 1967 to teach at Shippensburg University in Pennsylvania. During his 38 years at Shippensburg University, he was the Chair of the History and Philosophy Department for five years in the 1990s; served APSCUF, the state-wide faculty union, in many capacities including multiple terms as local president; authored Shippensburg: State College to University 1960-1996; and served as both the Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs and the Dean of Graduate Studies. After retiring from Shippensburg University, he worked for three years as Special Assistant to the Chancellor at the University of Washington, Tacoma.
Jim was an avid participant in multiple sports throughout his life, including basketball, tennis, and golf. He was a past member of the Unitarian Church of Harrisburg, where he served six years on the Board and two years as President, and was a founding member of the Unitarian Universalists of the Cumberland Valley where he served in many positions, including Board president.
Jim’s memory is honored and kept alive by his loving wife, Patricia A. Coolsen and his sons Michael K. Coolsen (Kristin) and Christopher J. Coolsen. He was a devoted and loving grandfather to granddaughters Sophia, Isabella, and Alexandra Coolsen and was a fixture at their sports events. He was also a wonderful stepfather to Debra L. Heary, Mark A. Gable (Erin), and Christopher M. Gable (Jana) and step-grandfather to Tyler, Emily and Andrew, and Aidan, Rilan, Wren and Brice. He was predeceased by his brother Thomas H. Coolsen. Jim will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, June 8, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at the Unitarian Universalists of the Cumberland Valley church, 2 Forge Road, Boiling Springs, PA 17007.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Jim’s memory, payable to Johns Hopkins University, may be mailed to the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center, 750 E. Pratt Street, Suite 1700, Baltimore, MD 21202.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.11.0