Jerome Wesley "Wes" Couthen

Jerome Wesley "Wes" Couthen was born on August 6, 1949, in Bridgeport, CT, and passed away on April 24, 2026. Diagnosed with cancer just ten weeks earlier, he faced it the way he lived: on his own terms. He was the youngest of five children born to James and Winnie Couthen. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Perline, and brother Al.

He graduated from Stratford High School in 1967 and entered the Air Force as a communications specialist. He served all over the world, from Offutt AFB in Omaha to Korat Air Base in Thailand. Wes flew back to Omaha for the birth of his daughter, Amy, but she was late, and he had to return. When he landed in Thailand, they handed him a Red Cross message: she had arrived. He went on to Ramstein Air Base in Germany, where he met his future wife, Jeri. They were married while stationed in Virginia, but were soon separated when Jeri was sent to Turkey for one year. They were reunited and assigned to Hickam AFB on Oahu, Hawaii.

Hawaii became home for 31 years. For Wes and Jeri, it offered something they hadn't found anywhere else: a deep sense of ʻohana (family) and acceptance that became part of who they were. Wes retired from the Air Force in 1989, having achieved the rank of Master Sergeant, and in 2007, Lucy was born, making him the proud Papa (Grandpa). She allowed him to see the world through a child's eyes and stop taking himself and everything else so seriously.

After the Air Force, he became a senior business analyst for HMSA, a healthcare insurance company, and worked there for 21 years. Wanting to give back, Wes became a certified Life Coach and did volunteer work with military personnel separating from the service. He retired fully in 2014 and moved from Hawaii to Colorado.

Wes loved music of all kinds. He had a range that defied easy categories, and he passed that love straight down the line. He was the kind of dad who'd sit with his teenage daughter on a Friday night in the '80s and watch music videos on cable together, just because. That love of music carried from him to Amy and from Amy to Lucy, three generations deep.

Anyone who spent five minutes with Wes left smiling. He had a warm, quick wit that caught you off guard and made the whole room lighter. He never wanted to be the center of attention, but he usually was, as people were genuinely drawn to him. His friends and co-workers, often the same people, remember Wes for his humble wisdom, his mentorship, and the way he always took time to listen.

Wes came to faith about ten years ago, inspired by watching Jeri's walk with Jesus. What started as curiosity became conviction, bringing him a new sense of peace and purpose. From that day on, he tried to bring love, grace, and mercy to everyone he interacted with.

Three years ago, Wes and Jeri moved into Holly Creek, a senior living community, and quickly made it home. He volunteered on the local radio station two days a week, where his "Did You Know" segment inevitably highlighted the accomplishments and impact of women and people of color. He also facilitated a Conversations That Matter group, was a member of the Resident Advisory Board, and was a faithful stagehand for the Thespian productions.

Wes is survived by his wife Jeri, daughter Amy (Tom) Beman of Washington State, and granddaughter Lucy. His surviving sisters are Elaine Grable of Florida and Alberta Cabral of Connecticut. He also leaves behind a host of loving nieces and nephews, and a very special "brother in the Lord," Steve Larson, of St. Louis, Missouri. A military service with full honors will be held at Fort Logan National Cemetery on May 13, 2026 at 11:30 AM. A Celebration of Life will follow at 2:00 PM at Centennials, Holly Creek Retirement Community.