Daniel W. Coutcher

Daniel, known by all as Dan, Wayne Coutcher finished strong the race laid out for him on Friday, September 04, 2015 surrounded by his family. Dan was born June 19, 1951 in Great Falls, Montana to Quentin Daniel Coutcher and Betty Coutcher. He is survived by his endearing wife Lois Howell Coutcher, children: Heidi Snyder and her husband Andrew and their children Ella, Madeline, Savannah, Charlotte, and Jude; Christy DeHart and her husband Josh and their children Haven and Ember; Daniel Coutcher and his wife Claudia; and Emily Coutcher and her daughter Julia. Also surviving is Dan’s mother and his sister Gail Coutcher Hughes and her husband Tim. A funeral service will be held at Colonial Baptist Church, 6051 Tryon Rd, Cary, NC 27518, on Tuesday, September 8, 2015 at 1PM. Friends are invited to a receiving line at the church beginning at 11AM. A private family burial will follow the service. In lieu of flowers please make donations to The Dan Coutcher Memorial Fund and mail to Franklin Watkins Financial Group, 3214 Charles B Root Wynd, Suite 145, Raleigh, NC 27612. Dan graduated from The University of Georgia with a degree in forestry in 1973. Although he enjoyed the great outdoors and working with his hands, Dan felt a calling on his life at the young age of 23 (after having found Jesus Christ as his Savior at 17). This calling to reach out to the lost was given roots and a place to begin by being a part of a new ministry, Forever Generation. Eventually his humble life of service took him to Georgia Tech where he ministered to college students by teaching them the gospel and simply living life with them. Dan could be found at the local burger shop having lunch with a student, talking late into the night, answering difficult questions, and hosting students on Sunday afternoons with a hearty spaghetti lunch made by his wife Lois. In the summer of 1987, Dan moved to North Carolina and NC State University became the mission field where he led many to Christ and a deeper walk with God. He knew people needed Christ but soon realized they were also hungry for emotional healing and freedom from past hurts. He walked bravely beside countless men and women as they journeyed towards forgiveness and healthy relationships with others. Dan’s ministry at NC State changed in 2004 to a more concentrated focus – ROTC. These young military men and women were drawn to Dan’s own self-discipline, sense of humor, and directness. He met them with cold Gatorade after their challenging training exercises and presented hundreds of them with gear trees he crafted himself with pine. Dan won their trust and their hearts and many dedicated, or rededicated, their lives to Christ because of his influence. He faithfully served in collegiate and ROTC ministries for 40 years. He loved his family dearly and remained devoted and loving to his wife Lois during their 41 years of marriage as they served together. They were a unique team encouraging couples to love well, invite Jesus into everything, and use the relational tools they had been given. Dan’s children remember him as a father who relentlessly pursued them. He was always taking them out to lunch or coffee, asking them about their day and offering them his time and wisdom. Above all, Dan invited them to a deeper walk with Jesus. Poppie, as Dan was called by his eight grandchildren, loved playing UNO and Skipbo with them, making his yard a fun place for them to play and taking them out for donuts. Dan Coutcher will be incredibly missed by many. He gave his life for the cause of the Cross. He loved people, he loved well and even in his battle with pancreatic cancer he gave life, lived life and spoke life into all those around him.

Daniel W. Coutcher

June 19, 1951 - September 4, 2015