Published: August 13, 2009 10:49 am      

J. Peter Coulson

J. Peter Coulson, 76, passed away on Wednesday, Aug. 5. Peter was born on April 17, 1933 to Cyril E. Coulson and Marion (Bullard) Coulson. He is survived by his brother Dr. John Coulson and sister-in-law Anne Hersey Coulson.

Peter grew up in Arizona where he graduated from Tucson Senior High and the University of Arizona. After a two-year tour in Germany with the United States Army, Peter returned to the University of Arizona where he received his master's degree in Theatre. Peter earned his Ph. D. in Theatre from the University of Kansas. He continued to act and direct as he began his career as a university theatre professor, serving as director of theatre at Arizona Western College and then at Wisconsin State University in Eau Claire.

In 1970 Peter joined the faculty of what was then Southwest Texas State College. He founded the M.A. program in theatre and served as its director of graduate studies for 30 years before retiring from the university in 2000. An avid theatre historian, Peter collected theatre memorabilia, including historical letters and manuscripts.

A kind and generous man, Peter was much loved and respected by his students. He received the Distinguished Service Award from the Southwest Theatre Conference and was named Professor Emeritus from Texas State University. His contributions to the theatre department are recognized annually via the awarding of the J. Peter Coulson Theatre History scholarship to an outstanding graduate student.

Dr. Coulson was an active member of the San Marcos community, both with St. Mark's Episcopal Church and with local organizations such as the Friends of Fine Arts, for whom he served multiple terms as president. A life-long Episcopalian, Peter was a member of the vestry and served as a lay reader for more than 50 years. At St. Mark's, Peter was the dean of the Lectors and Eucharistic Ministers for more than 20 years. He also served with the church's ministry to the university, and generously supported an Episcopal chaplain to university faculty and students.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, Aug. 16 at 3 p.m. at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 510 N. Guadalupe in San Marcos.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory can be made to St. Mark's Episcopal Church, to the Texas State Theatre Department or to a charity of your choice.

Arrangements under the care and guidance of Pennington Funeral Home, 323 N. Comanche, San Marcos, 353-4311.

Visit our Web site at www.penningtonfuneralhome.com