https://www.marconews.com/obituaries/psar0928811
David William Coolidge, a renowned watercolor artist, passed away peacefully on August 22, 2024. David was a loving husband, father, brother, uncle, grandparent, friend, and a resident of Naples for more than 35 years.
David was born in Lincoln, Nebraska in 1942 and was the middle child of John and Betty Ann (Palmer) Coolidge. David was raised in Fort Dodge, Iowa and subsequently graduated from Bettendorf High School in 1960. David attended Principia College in Elsah, Illinois before transferring to Drake University in Des Moines where he earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and was a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity.
David’s interest in illustration and watercolor painting drew him to the Greater Philadelphia area where he apprenticed under John Falter, a well-known illustrator. In 1965, David met his future wife, Meredith (Merry) McBride, and they married the following year. David and Merry spent a year in Italy where David attended the Tyler School of Art in Rome while continuing to refine his skills as a watercolor artist.
Upon returning to the United States in 1968, David and Merry settled along Philadelphia’s Main Line where they raised their two sons. David established his art studio at their home and began exhibiting his work in galleries throughout the Delaware Valley and in his native Iowa. David became well-known for his realistic depictions of landscapes, historic buildings, battlefields, golf courses, and maritime scenes.
He was commissioned by the J.M. Smucker Company in 1972 to design their annual Christmas plate in a collector’s series that ran for 50 years. In 1981, the Merion Golf Club commissioned David to produce paintings of the US Open Golf Championship held that summer. In 1985, David and Merry moved to Naples where David continued to paint and exhibit in local galleries. For close to 20 years, David’s art studio was located on Third Street South in Naples and his paintings were frequently shown at the Harmon Meek gallery.
David’s works over the years reflected many of the locations he traveled to including Philadelphia, South Florida, Venice, Bermuda, Colonial Williamsburg, New England, and several National Parks. David’s art legacy will continue to be maintained online at www.davidcoolidge.com.
David loved spending time with his wife, Merry, of 57 years and enjoyed centering his vacation time around family gatherings. David was an active member of the Christian Science church in Naples and served in a variety of roles including teaching in the Sunday School. David enjoyed being a “Grampa” and loved visiting with his grandchildren and seeing them flourish. David is survived by his two sons, Scott and his wife Shelley; Terry and his wife Karen, five grandchildren, his sister Jane Kelly, and several nephews, nieces, and cousins.
His beloved wife, Merry, passed away earlier this year. A private service will be held. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the following organizations in David’s memory:
First Church of Christ, Scientist (Naples, Florida).
https://christiansciencenaples.com/.
DayStar, Inc. (Davie, FL) – https://www.daystarfl.org/donate.
Camps Newfound & Owatonna (Harrison, ME).
