Harold "Sonny" Coulter, Jr.

Mr. Harold Sylvester “Sonny” Coulter, Jr., 81, of Phenix City, AL passed away Thursday, October 17, 2024, at his home. 

A funeral service will be held at 3:00 pm EDT Sunday, October 20, 2024, at Vance Brooks Funeral Home in Phenix City, AL with Rev. Grant Parker officiating. The family will receive friends Sunday afternoon from 1:00 until 3:00 pm, two hours prior to the service, at the funeral home.

Sonny’s two great loves in life were his family and community. He served four terms as Phenix City’s mayor and would have served longer if his family hadn’t stepped in and forced him to retire. No one loved his community like him. During his recent hospital stay, Sonny wore a collection of visors that simply said, “Phenix City.” He had one in every color. We think he bought them at CVS. 

Sonny never met a stranger and was genuinely interested in everyone – much to the chagrin of his family who endured hour long visits to the grocery store with him as he stopped and spoke to everyone. If Sonny didn’t know you, it wasn’t from a lack of effort.

He was also passionate about Auburn football and anything Central High School. Back when newspapers were in vogue, he had a tradition after Auburn wins of dropping off the Sports Section and a dozen Golden Donuts early on Sunday morning to his family. His grandkids quickly learned that Auburn football victories were good. 

His hobbies included buying things he never used. He had a collection of more than 300 baseball caps. We’re pretty sure he never wore most of them. 

He was married to Kathy, the love of his life, for 46 years. They loved weekly (sometimes more) trips to Carrabba’s and Mark’s City Grill where Sonny knew all the waiters by name. 

Most of all, they loved their children – especially their grandchildren and great grandchildren. They loved them more. 

Mr. Coulter was born in Columbus, GA, son of the late Harold S. Coulter, Sr. and Mary Stewart Coulter. He proudly served his country in the Alabama Air National Guard. He was a 1961 graduate of Central High School and attended Columbus State University. 

Other than his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Susan Coulter Howard and brother-in-law, Bev Howard and a niece, Mary Anna Howard Walker.

Mr. Coulter is survived by his loving wife, Kathy Stokes Coulter; sons, Jay Coulter (Adicia) and Sam Coulter; grandchildren, Caroline Coulter Pippins (Dalton), Craig Coulter, Clay Coulter (Gracie), Sammie Coulter, Gage Ingram, and great-granddaughter, Carmen Coulter, as well as a special niece, Carolyn Howard Cornett, and several extended family and friends.

Flowers will be accepted or donations may be made to Project Greene Light, P. O. Box 3601, Phenix City, AL 36868.