(Click on the image for Walter's obituary)
From his son, Walter:I am certainly not one who posts much if any on Facebook but today I wanted to share the passing of my father, Walter John Coulther this past Tuesday. I think of all the many talented and influential people I have had the good fortune to come in contact throughout my life but my father was and will be the only hero I have ever known. He was born in Newark, New Jersey in 1941 and was the youngest boy with two older sisters. Unfortunately, his oldest sister had serious health issues and most of the focus growing up was taking care of her health. He eventually graduated from Washington Lee High School in Virginia and had aspirations of joining the military. However, he eventually owned and operated Parkinson’s Florist located in Arlington, Virginia for approximately twenty (20) years. Ultimately, he ended up selling the flower shop and going to work for various silk flower wholesalers. He also was a franchiser co-owner of Golden Skillet Fried Chicken restaurants in Forestville, Maryland and Washington DC. The final part of his career was working as a salesman for CRI, Inc. He was one of their first salespeople and the company has grown considerably since he first began working there in 1980’s. Finally, he operated a fresh flower stand at the oldest farmer’s market in the country located in Old Town, Alexandria. Each and every Saturday morning he would arrive at the market and proceed to provide quality locally grown fresh flowers to his many customers that he acquired over the 15 plus years he operated the market. He even continued to operate his flower stand at the market into his early 70’s.
My father enjoyed playing golf, bridge, fishing and being a part of the Tantallon community. He purchased his home in Tantallon in 1971 and later became a lifetime member of Tantallon Country Club. This was probably one of his two greatest decision he made during his life. Anyone who had the privilege of growing up in the Tantallon/Fort Washington region of Prince George’s County can attest to the many wonderful people and memories of this community. However, the best decision my father ever made was marrying my beloved mother, Donna Maria Morris. They were married for over forty (40) until she passed away in 2010. My mother was everything to my father and there is not a word in the English strong enough to describe how much what she meant to him.
Finally, I would describe my father as salesman at heart who loved traveling throughout Mid-Atlantic region including the entire State of Virginia. He had the spirit of an entrepreneur and was always looking for the “next big thing” to market. He was a avid Redskins fan who enjoyed NHL playoff hockey and was happy to the Washington Capitals finally win the Stanley Cup. He also enjoyed baseball rooting for the Baltimore Orioles and later the Washington Nationals. He would tell me as a kid that he was scared of G. Gordon Liddy and to never to mess with that man. He loved following the career of Fred Funk. However, his all favorite golfer was Jack Nicklaus followed by Chi Chi Rodriquez then Fred Couples and Tom Kite. His perfect day would be up at 5 o’clock to sell flowers at the market. After the market, he would return home to shower and head up to the club for “Swingers” golf. After golf, he would end his day with a steak on the outside grill, salad and baked potato with my mother. Depending on the time of year, he would either have a gin and tonic or glass of wine with dinner. He would then kiss my mother goodnight and say to himself what a great it was. Well dad here is to an eternity of perfect days, thank you for the lifetime of memories and being the hero of dad you always were, Rest in Peace
On Monday, April 28, 2020; the beloved husband of the late Donna Coulther; father of Walter J. Coulther, Jr. and Christopher G. Coulther; grandfather of Olivia, Camryn and Kylie Coulther. A private visitation will be held at the Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory, Oxon Hill, MD. A private Mass of Christian Burial will be offered St. Mary's Catholic Church of Piscataway, Clinton MD. Interment church cemetery.