Coulbourn Hurt Tyler, 87, of Gloucester, Va., passed away peacefully on May 27, 2023 after facing the challenges of late-stage Parkinson’s disease. He was born in Newport News, Va., the son of the late Dr. George Colbert and Hilda Lankford Tyler. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Elisabeth Lee Weidhaas, and his brother, Colbert McLauren Tyler. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Anne Lee Chapman Tyler; son, Phillip Coulbourn Tyler; son-in-law, Gary Weidhaas, and granddaughters, Anne Weidhaas Conte, Claire Coulbourn Weidhaas, and Geneva Gail Weidhaas.
Coulbourn attended Newport News Public Schools and graduated from Randolph-Macon Military Academy in Front Royal, Va. Upon graduation he attended Randolph-Macon College for one year and entered the U.S. Army serving in the 101st and 7th Infantry Divisions, the latter in Korea. Upon discharge he attended the College of William & Mary and V.P.I. for a semester. When he and Anne Lee moved to Charlottesville, he worked for the Southern and C&O Railroads, as well as the Railway Express Agency before and during his time at the University of Virginia. He received his B.S. and M.S. degrees at U.Va. and upon graduation worked in the Athletic Department for two years. He received a Doctorate in Education at V.P.I. in 1977. In 1967 he and his family moved to Ferrum College where he served in a variety of faculty and administrative positions for 32 years. He was extremely proud to be on the staff of three of Ferrum’s Championship Football teams, 1968, 1974, and 1977; serving on a NCAA committee in 1988 and 1989, and being involved in many other sport related activities.
Coulbourn and Anne Lee retired to Gloucester to enjoy life on the Piankatank River. Upon his retirement from Ferrum he worked for Adventure Travel in Kilmarnock, Va. He was a past member of the Cross Roads Ruritan Club in Franklin County, a past member of the Piankatank Community League in Gloucester and a member of Phi Delta Kappa and Phi Kappa Phi honorary educational fraternities. He and Anne Lee enjoyed many years traveling both at home and abroad.
The family will receive friends from 2:30-3 p.m. on Friday, June 2, 2023, at Olive Branch United Methodist Church, 12403 Harcum Road, Gloucester, with a memorial service starting at 3 at the church. Following the service there will be a Celebration of Life at the Piankatank Community League, 11888 Harcum Road, Gloucester, Va. 23061. Memorial donations may be made to either Ferrum College Athletic Dept. or Olive Branch United Methodist Church. Andrews Funeral Home, Gloucester, is in charge of arrangements.