George Coulam, the controversial founder of the Texas Renaissance Festival, was found dead Wednesday at his home in Todd Mission. He was 87. Authorities are investigating the cause of death.
George Coulam was the founder of the Texas Renaissance Festival and a controversial figure in the arts and culture of the state. On Wednesday morning, his body was found at his home in Todd Mission. He passed away at age 87.
At 9:05 a.m., the Grimes County Sheriff's Office and the Texas Rangers helped the Todd Mission Police Department get to Coulam's house. When the police got there, they found Coulam, who lived in the fair area, dead. Three different groups are looking into the death.
Texas Renaissance Festival leaders wrote on Facebook that they were sad about George Coulam's death. People who work there, act, and visit have loved the community he has built for almost 50 years. The message also asked Coulam's family and the fair community to have privacy during their grief.
Because of a failed sales deal, a judge in Grimes County ruled that the Texas Renaissance Festival site be sold and gave over $23 million in damages. Coulam died not long ago. On May 7, Judge Gary W. Chaney said that Coulam and his company broke a deal they had with Meril Rivard, who had agreed to buy the festival's property and land next to it. A court decision showed that Coulam's company forgot to send the necessary paperwork and ended the sale quickly in April 2023.
Coulam remained essential to one of the country's most significant Renaissance-themed events, even after a court case and criticism of the festival's management. His sudden death calls this legacy into question.
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