Dr. Jesse Edward Coulson

Obituary For Dr. Jesse Edward Coulson

Dr. Jesse Edward Coulson went to sleep in the Lord on September 17, 2025.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00 p.m., November 21, 2025, at the Bowie Seventh Day Adventist Church, 701 US 81, Bowie, TX. with Pastor Andrew Caban officiating. Burial will be held at West Hill Cemetery, 1304 W. Lamar Street, Sherman, TX.

Jesse was born on July 11, 1940, in Davis, Oklahoma to Ola and Eula Coulson. He moved to Fresno, California at the age of 6. As a young child, he was an avid reader. He would check out as many library books as was allowed and bring them back quickly to reload. He was Valedictorian of his 8th grade class.

He accepted Christ as his personal savior at the age of 16. In high school he was president of the Bible club. He opened the assemblies at the high school with prayer. He won many speech contests, including district. After graduation he moved to San Diego, CA and worked a short time at Rohr Aircraft Company. After visiting a friend at Life Pacific University in Los Angeles he left San Diego and enrolled in this institution pursuing a ministerial degree. He graduated in 1963 and pastored several churches in California. He obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology with a minor in religion at Fresno Pacific University where he graduated in 1971. Upon graduation Jesse moved his family to Denton, TX where he graduated with a master's degree in clinical psychology in 1974. He took great pride in knowing that his thesis was selected as the best one in that semester from University of North Texas. After graduation Jesse worked at MHMR in Sherman, TX. He began the Zero to Three Title V in Texas which is dedicated to ensuring a strong start for every child. It was picked as the best Title V in Texas. This program is still in effect. He was on the board of the Texas Counseling Association for several years and was instrumental in the passing of the Licensed Professional Counselor license. He was also mentioned in Who's Who in Texas. He continued his studies at UNT and graduated with a Doctor of Education (college teaching psychology) in May 1987. He was Chief Psychologist at Wichita Falls State Hospital for several years. He saw his work there as ministry as well and had empathy for his patients. He was a Professor of Psychology and Counseling at several universities and colleges. From 2004 to 2024 Jesse opened a private practice in Bowie with an emphasis on child abuse.

He was also a counselor for Patsy’s House. He helped many struggling marriages as well. Jesse served in many mental health settings for a total of 38 years.

Because of his ministerial background, he continued his studies at Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University for 4-1/2 summers. He was called to preach by the Lord at age 16 and never stopped sharing the Word. He has preached across 19 different denominations. His ministry was marked by compassion, conviction, and a deep love of God. He would never pass up an opportunity to share the word of God. He always shared his testimony and love for the Lord even in the most difficult circumstances. Jesse has served effectively many churches as Senior or Associate Pastor as well as guest speaker for over 60 plus years. He was currently an Elder in his current church.

Photography was a large part of his life. He has produced many images over the years and won several awards. He was also an amateur painter and jewelry artist. He was working on a new manuscript called 10 Keys to Successful Living. He has published two books - The Little Green Worm which he read and shared with many children in the Bowie area as well as in Zimbabwe, Africa on a mission trip. He has also published a book called Reflections on Love and Faith, Essays, Poems, and Photographs.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Ola and Eula Coulson, brothers Glenn Ray Coulson of Phoenix, AZ, Kenneth Wayne Coulson of San Diego, CA. and sister Geraldine (Jerri) Henry of Bakersfield, CA. Jesse is survived by his wife Gunilla (Gwen) Coulson of 65 years of marriage and his children Karen Kobe and husband Mike, Nancy Lucas, and Linda Snell and husband Rusty, grandsons Jonathan Kobe, Benjamin Kobe and wife Jennifer, Dustin Lucas, Colton Lucas and great-grandson Henry Max Lucas, Travis Snell, and granddaughter, Hannah Ferguson and husband Josh, his brother David Coulson of Boone, NC, cousins, nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews.

In lieu of flowers, friends desire memorials can be made in honor of Jesse to Bowie Seventh Day Adventist Church Memorial Fund.

Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie, Texas.