Edward Archer “Ned” Coulson, 84, passed away April 28, 2026.
A celebration of life will be held to honor him on Friday, June 26, 2026, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Weatherby Lake Community Center for friends and family to come together to share memories.
Ned was born November 13, 1941, in Alton, Illinois, to Thomas and Kathryn (Hamrock) Coulson. He graduated from Wood River High School in 1959 and then Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL in 1964. He began his career in insurance in Hartford, CT. A position with Travelers Insurance brought him to Kansas City, where he met and married Gayle Whiteway. While working during the day, he attended law school at night and received his law degree from UMKC in December 1970.
Following law school, Ned served as law clerk and bailiff to the Honorable Laurence R. Smith, Circuit Judge of Jackson County. He joined Duncan & Russell as an associate in January 1974 and later practiced with Phil Gettig, Bill Shull, Don Norris, Pete Schloss, J.B. Chancellor and others. He eventually practiced with his son Andy after Andy passed the bar in 2003. Though he handled both civil and criminal matters, Ned’s focus was helping everyday Northlanders. A devoted servant to the public and to his clients, Ned served as municipal judge for Weatherby Lake from 1978 to 1996. He held leadership roles with the Clay County Bar Association and was an active member of the Kansas City and Missouri Bar Associations, and was conferred the title of Senior Counselor by the Missouri Bar in 2016. He enjoyed going to court to see fellow lawyers, judges, clerks and bailiffs, often saying the work was tough but made worthwhile by those friendships.
Ned cherished life, treasured long-time friends, delighted in meeting new people and loved to tell a good story. He maintained lifelong friendships from Wood River and Theta Xi, and more recently enjoyed his coffee group and Silver Sneakers friends at the Parkville YMCA. He loved travelling and finding the best local “bite”; a fellow lawyer affectionately called him the “Gas Station Gourmet.” In many ways he was the original Guy Fieri of the Kansas City area. He also enjoyed being on the pontoon on Weatherby Lake with his family and his dog Baxter. He treasured his beach time on Sanibel Island with rum runners and the quest for the best key lime pie. He really loved live music, all types, and recently wasable to see Willie Nelson in Key West which he cherished.
He fought many health challenges along the way, a kidney transplant in 2017 gave him nearly nine additional years filled with travel and family time. The family is profoundly grateful to his donor, Kara Pinnick; to the teams at KU Hospital; and to the doctors and staff at North Kansas City Hospital for their compassionate care.
He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Gayle; his children, Kathryn (Katy) Coulson (Kevin) and Andrew (Andy) Coulson; grandchildren Jack, Lauren, and AJ; his brother Mike Coulson; sister-in-law Carol; and niece Kelly (Joe) and their children Joey, Jimi, and Tommy.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the National Kidney Foundation or your preferred charitable organization.
Dad, we love you — a full life would be an understatement, and you will be deeply missed.
Ned was a man who always had a smile for you. I have missed that with him. My condolences to the entire family.
I met Ned in 1961 when I joined the Theta XI Fraternity and we always called him Abe, although I never knew why. I don’t believe I ever saw him in a foul mood, but invariably laughing and talking. He was a great Brother and loved his family above all else.
I always found Mr, Coulson to be a very kind man. He always smiled at you and it was always a warm, genuine smile that made you feel better. He is also the reason i still had my driver’s license for a good 8 to 10 year period of time back in the day, lol. God bless all of his loved ones and know our thoughts and prayers are with you.