James J. Coulas Sr., 92, founder and chief executive officer of Weldbend Corp., died at home on July 4 of heart failure. He founded the industrial fittings company, originally called Viking Valve and Fitting Co., in 1950 and continued to play an active part in running it, along with son and PresidentJames Coulas Jr., all the way until the end.
The company was renamed Weldbend in 1969, where Coulas oversaw the design of new machinery, as well as the construction of a 70-foot motorboat named “My Irma” after his wife.
In addition to his son, Coulas is survived by his wife of 66 years; three daughters, Irma Hammer, Cathleen Hosteny and Carol Jean; 12 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
