Brian D Coulson

Brian D Coulson
August 23, 1947 ~ June 28, 2023 (age 75)

Brian D Coulson, a dedicated community member and family man, passed away on June 28, 2023, at the age of 75. He was born in Lakeview, Michigan on August 23, 1947, to George M. Coulson and Dorothy E. Coulson (Swarthout) and raised on their small family farm. He was a proud father to his two grown daughters and a grandfather of six. He delighted in his children’s and grandchildren’s many activities, and attended or watched as many of their games, meets, plays, performances, and activities as he could. His favorite activities included spending time at the beach house in Manzanita, Oregon, fly fishing, picking blackberries, making jam, tinkering, and painting (favorite color: Cape Cod Gray). While he was a man of few words, there were often many humorous comments and observations muttered under his breath.  His dry and sarcastic wit was enjoyed and passed on to his family. Brian’s legacy will be forever cherished by his family, friends, colleagues and clients, as well as numerous community organizations he served.

Brian was a devoted husband to his wife Nancy for 53 years whom he met while earning his degree in accounting at Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Michigan.  When he concluded his studies, Brian was drafted into the U.S. Army. After serving a year in Vietnam, he was honorably discharged on Christmas Day in 1971. Brian and Nancy decided not to return to Michigan but instead build their life together in the Pacific Northwest.

Following his military service, Brian joined Dwyer, Meredith & Pemberton in January 1972.  The firm would be the only one he worked for as a Certified Public Accountant, remaining active until his passing.  The firm was eventually renamed Dwyer, Pemberton & Coulson, and is now DP&C. Brian developed a reputation for his work with not-for-profit organizations and the restaurant industry, and later tax and estate work.  But Brian provided more than accounting services to his clients. He would often remark that he didn’t have clients, he had friends. He was a calming presence, a voice of reason and reassurance. He was there to counsel his clients through all of their challenges and successes.  He took pride in helping them solve their problems. Brian was generous with his time and walked clients through the intricacies of tax matters in a plain easy to understand manner.  Many of his clients worked with him for decades and treated him like a member of their family.

Brian was never an idle man.  He was a hard worker, but made time in his life to prioritize his family.  He chose to “live life in the moment because you never know what to expect tomorrow.” He would give his time and patience without limits or conditions for his children.

Brian’s counsel and advice was sought after by numerous community organizations, and Brian was always a willing and active leader in each of the organizations he supported. Many of the organizations he volunteered with had a direct connection to the activities he and his family participated in, such as softball clubs and swim teams.  He served as a board member, largely as the Treasurer and Boathouse Manager, for Commencement Bay Rowing Club from its inception in 1992 until his passing.  In that role, he helped to lead the efforts to build the boathouse that still serves the organization at Harry Todd Park on American Lake.

Brian is survived by wife Nancy, daughter Heather E. Cleveland and her husband Matthew J. Cleveland of Chicago, Illinois, and daughter Gretchen M. Smith and her husband Michael T. Smith of Tacoma, Washington.  He is also survived by his  grandchildren: Hannah R. Cleveland, Riley G. Cleveland, Allison P. Cleveland, Eleanor M. Smith, and George M. Smith; and his twin-brother Barry D. Coulson and his wife Sherilyn of Mason, Michigan.  Brian was preceded in death by his parents and grandson Dylan J. Cleveland.

A celebration to honor Brian’s life will be held on Friday, July 14, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. at Fircrest Golf Club, 1500 Regents Blvd., Fircrest, WA 98466.  Remembrance Sharing will begin at 2:30 p.m.  Reception to follow.  Private interment will be at Tahoma National Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to either the American Cancer Society to support colon cancer research or the Macular Degeneration Association.