Site
Sponsor

Coulson Tough, ‘Architect of The Woodlands,’ laid to rest

By: Sean K. Thompson
| Published 02/04/2022

Linkedin

THE WOODLANDS, TX – Coulson Tough, patriarch of the venerable Tough family and the man who worked shoulder-to-shoulder with George Mitchell in the creation of The Woodlands, was laid to rest Friday afternoon . Mr. Tough passed away Thursday, January 27, surrounded by family, including his son and founder of the Tough Law Firm, Bruce Tough.

Funeral for community icon attended by hundreds


Funeral services took place at The Woodlands Community Presbyterian Church on W. Panther Creek. Hundreds of people came to pay their respects at Tough’s celebration of life, led by the Tough family, associate pastor Reverend Laura R. Grice, and pastor Dr. David F. Jones. The Tough clan were longtime members of the church. After the memorial service and reception at the church, Mr. Tough was interred in a family ceremony at Forest Lawn of The Woodlands.

In keeping with the heritage of Coulson Tough, the ceremony was Scottish in nature. A lone bagpiper opened and closed the ceremony with traditional Scottish music, and Bruce himself wore a full formal kilt and regalia.

Tributes to Coulson Tough included a solo performance of “The Lord’s Prayer” by Kristen Campbell, readings from Old and New Testament scriptures, a meditation by Dr. Jones, and family reminiscences by Bruce Tough and his wife Diana, and Coulson’s four granddaughters Madison, Tara, Abby, and Sydney.

The quartet of young women recollected weekly coffee dates with Coulson and his generosity in fully paying for all of their college educations; although, apparently, they had to show him their report cards and not gain any “Mickey Mouse degrees.” As he had put it, “Education is the most important thing to change your whole life.” Coulson’s directives paid off, and all four ladies have achieved great practical success with their educations behind them.

“We are here to celebrate a life well lived,” said Reverend Grice, and the tributes verified this as well-lived life as a fact. Until the end, he enjoyed “Scotch Fridays” and even overcame COVID at age 95 to celebrate with drinks at Truluck’s Restaurant at Hughes Landing. The funeral took place seventeen years – to the day – of the funeral services of his wife Colleen.

Coulson Tough was born in 1926 in Detroit. At age eight, his Scottish born father passed away and he found himself thrust into the enviable position of “head of the household.” Despite being raised poor and fatherless, he found the best parts of what life could offer. He graduated from Cass Academy in 1994, earning the first of many honors, the American Legion award.

Tough enlisted in the Army Air Corps at the age of 17, serving during WWII in France and Germany, and earning the rank of sergeant upon his honorable discharge. After, he attended and graduated from the University of Michigan, earning his Bachelor’s degree in Architecture. He met his future wife on a blind date.

His career as an architect began with the University of California system, where his successes included being the lead architect in the construction from the ground up of the UC Irvine campus. In 1968, Coulson was hired as vice president of facilities and operations at the University of Houston, where he excelled in the design and renovation and construction of numerous campus buildings locally and in South America.

His life took a turn, which literally everyone in The Woodlands has benefited form, when in the early 1970s he met with George Mitchell to discuss the development of a UH satellite campus. A business relationship and friendship ensued, and Coulson joined Mitchell’s ‘dream team’ as lead architect in the project that created The Woodlands. Coulson also oversaw several projects for Mitchell that were designed to revitalize Galveston. As for The Woodlands, Coulson Tough was associated with approximately 130 projects in the township.

Besides being a patriarch and businessman, Coulson Tough was also a giving member of the community. He was a charter member of The Woodlands Community Presbyterian Church, elected as Trustee of Conroe ISD, served as president of the South Montgomery City Chamber of Commerce, founded the Rotary Club of The Woodlands, and served on numerous boards. His proudest achievements outside of his family, however, was having an elementary school in The Woodlands named after him, being selected a fellow of the American Institute of Architects, and receiving a Rotary Paul Harris Fellowship Award.

Coulson Tough’s legacy of giving and building continues even after his passing; those wishing to honor him may contribute or donate to the Coulson Tough Memorial Fund at The Woodlands Community Church.

(Photo courtesy of the Tough Law Firm.)

Comments •
X
Log In to Comment