James Profilet Couillard

Lieutenant, U.S. Navy

Graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Class of 1954.

James Profilet Couillard was born on 24 May 1932, in Natchez, MS. Upon graduation from Natchez High School in 1950, Jim entered the U.S. Naval Academy as a Midshipman. On 5 June 1954, the day after graduating from the Academy with a degree in Civil Engineering, he married Jean Rider of Linthicum Heights, MD.

As a newly commissioned Ensign, Jim attended the Naval Air Test Center as a flight student in Pensacola, FL, where he was designated a Naval Aviator in June 1955. He then went on to earn his advanced multi-engine rating in Hutchison, KS, in December 1955. Jim was stationed at the Patuxent River Naval Air Station and Naval Air Station Argentia, Newfoundland, responsible for Airborne Early Warning. He then joined the Fleet Tactical Support Squadron as a pilot in Port Leoti, Morocco. Upon his return from Morocco, Jim was a pilot and Film Project Supervisor for the U.S. Naval Photographic Center in Washington, DC.

In 1962, Jim left the Navy and began his civilian career as a Project Supervisor with the Burroughs Corp., utilizing his engineering background. He then joined the staff of the U.S. Department of the Navy in 1967, working in the Pentagon and other locations in the Washington area. Upon his retirement from the Department of the Navy, Jim was employed with a defense contractor, providing his expertise to improve the flight seat ejection systems of military aircraft.

Jim will be remembered most for his devotion to his family and friends. He enjoyed spending time at the family's lake house on Smith Mountain Lake, attending Navy football games and traveling with Jean to many beautiful cities in Europe. They treasure fond memories of special friends near and far. Jim was a Eucharistic minister at St. Ignatius of Loyola Catholic Church in Ijamsville.

James Profilet Couillard, 77, died peacefully while surrounded by his family on Monday, 29 March 2010, due to complications from Parkinson's disease. He was a resident of Damascus, MD.

He is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Jean; and his four children, Steven and his wife, Judy, of Frederick, MD; Kevin and his wife, Karen, of Johns Creek, GA; Gregg and his wife, Wendy, of Germantown, MD; and Melissa of Damascus. Jim had nine grandchildren: Bradley, William, Andrew, Melanie, Kyle, Ryan, Nathan, Allison and Samuel. Jim is also survived by his sister, Senith Couillard Tipton and family, of Jackson, MS.

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