Michael James Coolican IV

Michael James Coolican IV, 65, died on January 29, 2026, from complications related to a recent ice storm.  He was born in Memphis, Tennessee on June 14, 1960, to Mike and Carole Coolican. Graduatingfrom Bishop Byrne High School in 1978, Mike went on to live a life of adventure.  

Mike is preceded in death by his mother Carole (Kanin) Coolican, his aunt Shirley “Sissy” Coolican, and his brother Kirk Coolican.  He is survived by his daughter Bridget, his father Michael James Coolican III, his brothers Mark (Penny) Coolican and Keith Coolican, as well asmany nieces and nephews.  

Mike wore many hats in this life:  riverboat crewman, white water rafting guide and outfitter, jeweler, proprietor of The Camp Store in Memphis, outside salesman, financial advisor, project manager, and general contractor.  Having lived in Montana and southern Illinois, Mike still considered Memphis his home. 

Mike was a man of many passions. Mike’s fascination with the outdoors grew from his childhood of countless family fishing and camping trips along with many adventures in nature as a Boy Scout.As a staff member in Woodsmanship at Camp Ondessonk in Southern Illinois, Mike made many lifelong friends (his camp nickname was “Tennessee”). As a founding member of the Memphis Barbecue Society, Mike absolutely loved to cook and loved to feed his friends everything from Memphis style barbecue to legendary blueberry pies. He was also an avid collector of a wide range of artifacts, musical instruments, ancient fossils, retro tools, unique gadgets, unusual contraptions… really anything worthy of a good story… and if an item didn’t already have a story, he would be sure to craft a new one. He loved music (especially John Prine), National Geographic, and NPR(especially the tales of Lake Wobegon). Mike would embrace any opportunity to share his vast knowledge on just about any subject to just about anyone in earshot; and if you didn’t agree, well then, he’d argue into the night… anywhere from a campfire to a bear cave.

At his core, Mike valued fellowship with his friends.  And he had many of them from all over the world. Many a night was spent around a campfire singing songs and telling stories… making memories to last a lifetime.  

But the center of his world was his beautiful daughter Bridget. She gave his life meaning.

We can all rest easy knowing Mike is now “where all the women are strong, all the men are good-looking, and all the children are above average.”

Funeral arrangements have been made for February 20th, 2026, at St. Francis of Assisi on Germantown Parkway in Cordova, TN. 

Visitation starts at 9:30 followed by a mass at 10.

We will be having a memorial and celebration of life on March 14, 2026. Please reach out to family and friends for more details.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to NPR or the National Park Foundation.

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