Thomas Donald Coulter, 92 of Harrington, DE passed away peacefully at his home on
December 11, 2020 following a brief battle with bladder cancer.
Donald was born in Baltimore, MD on April 4, 1928 to the late Wilmer and Blanche Coulter.
After high school, he briefly served in the Navy as a Fireman First Class.
Donald's love of horses began at an early age, when he used to clean horse stalls in the morning
before school in exchange for riding lessons with a man named William McKinley "Linky" Smith
who had a farm at the end of his street. This relationship would ultimately change his life forever.
During the subsequent years he worked numerous jobs - driving tractor trailers, working for a
brewing company, working for Grumman Aircraft with a metal lathe - but he never lost his love of
horses. He also drove horse vans, provided security at the racetrack, and braided horses and
ponies for shows--all in his spare time. It was during this time that he met and married his beloved
wife of 67 years, Lorraine, who also loved and rode horses. In the late 1960's, he worked part
time once again for Linky Smith at his horse farm, Fountain Green Farm near Bel Air, MD. Linky
Smith was working as a yearling consultant for Windfields Farm in Chesapeake City, MD. Due to
the demands of the horse farm, he could not do both and recommended Donald for a fulltime job
with Windfields Farm. Donald's acceptance of this job in the late summer of 1971 was the start of
a very successful career! He quickly advanced to manager of the yearling division, and five of his
six children would subsequently join him as employees at the farm. The owner of the farm once
commented that his wife was "broodmare of the year" since 5 of their 6 children worked on the
farm. Over time the farm progressed to becoming a major player in the thoroughbred world
topping all the major sales with the world-renowned stallion Northern Dancer at the forefront.
One career highlight for Donald was in 1981 when two yearlings he raised sold at auction for a
record $3.5 million and $3.3 million, both of which doubled the previous record of $1.7 million. He
was featured on the cover of The Maryland Horse Magazine as a result. His favorite horse was the
one that sold for $3.3 million in 1981. He said that horse, Shareef Dancer, was a ten on a scale of
1 – 10. That horse achieved greatness in Europe and was syndicated for $40 million, and is still on
the list of most expensive racehorses. In 1988 the Imperial Falcon yearling sold at auction for a
record $8.25 million. That horse is still on the list of top ten world's most expensive yearlings sold.
In all, as manager of Windfield's Yearling Division, Donald oversaw the preparation and sale of
438 thoroughbred yearlings for $95, 271, 700….a phenomenal statistic for an 18 year career. One
would be hard pressed to find a more illustrious career with the many milestones reached during
his tenure.
Sadly, Windfields' owners E. P Taylor and his son Charles died, and the farm was closed in
1988. This was a very sad day for a man that devoted his life to doing what he loved. Donald
missed working there the rest of his life.
Over the course of his lifetime Donald could usually be seen in the company of one of his treasured
dogs…Corky, Sarge, Pierre, Pete, Jack, or Andy. In retirement, Donald enjoyed watching western
movies; doing crossword, sudoku, and word jumble puzzles; spending time with family and
friends; and eating out in restaurants. He was well known for his witty humor, and was making
jokes right up to the day he died!
Along with his parents, Donald was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 67 years,
Lorraine Coulter; brother Mike Coulter, and son-in-law Tim Flanagan (whom he referred to
as a son).
He is survived by his children Paul and Linda Coulter of Hudson FL, Tom Coulter of
Chesapeake City MD, Karen and Tim Emory of Cecilton MD, Pat and Margaret Coulter of
Milford DE, Kathy Flanagan of Spotsylvania VA, and Mark and Maria Coulter of Elkton MD;
thirteen grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; and one great-great grandchild.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to delawarehospice.org.
A viewing will be held on Monday, December 28, 2020 from 3-5pm at Galena Funeral Home
of Stephen L. Schaech, 118 W. Cross St, Galena MD 21635. A private Mass of Christian
Burial will be offered at 11:00 am on December 29th at St Bernadette Catholic Church, 109
Dixon St, Harrington DE 19952. Burial will follow in St. Dennis Cemetery.