Gary Paul Coullard

Gary Paul Coullard, 82, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on Saturday May 7th, 2022.
Gary was born on December 1, 1939 in Franklin, Louisiana, the first son of Archie and Marion (Robicheaux) Coullard. Three siblings, Glenn (Debi) Coullard, Janet (Michael) Blandino and Jane (Ray) Pilant followed. After high school, Gary joined the U.S. Navy to be trained in electronics focusing on Radar Special Circuits and Air Search. He also studied at the Cleveland Institute of Radio Electronics where he completed his certification in broadcast engineering. After four years in the Navy, Gary returned home to Franklin, La where he met and married Carolyn (Peltier) Coullard in November of 1961. Gary and Carolyn celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary this past November. Andrew Guthrie, their grandson and a hospitalist, helped facilitate Gary’s care over the past many weeks. He would describe his grandfather to colleagues and fellow caregivers as ‘a man of his time’. This characterization is so beautiful in its simplicity. For those of you who knew Gary well, this will make perfect sense.
Gary worked as a staff engineer at WDSU, WVUE and WWL in New Orleans from 1967-1997. At WWL he rose to the position of Chief Engineer/Director of Engineering. Gary and Carolyn then moved to Alexandria, Louisiana where he was WKALB’s Chief Engineer from 1998-2009.
Gary was a 30-year member of The Society of Broadcast Engineers, The Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers and The Greater Crescent City Corvette Club for which he served on the Board of Directors three times.
Survivors, in addition to his wife and three siblings, are his daughters, Joan (Richard) Guthrie and Janette (Paul) Payne; his sons, John Coullard and James (Leigh) Coullard; plus 10 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.
A visitation will be held 10am-noon with a service of remembrance following on May 13th at Garden of Memories Funeral Home, 4900 Airline Drive, Metairie, La.
In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations to the LASPCA as an expression of sympathy and in memory of Gary Paul Coullard. He loved his dogs with his whole heart!

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