Coulter Hnatt

Coulter Michael Hnatt was an 11-year-old battle-hardened warrior who remained faithful in his walk with Christ at an early age.
At the age of 4, Coulter was diagnosed with a form of brain cancer called anaplastic ependymoma. This type of cancer often spreads to the spine and is currently limited in treatment options. Over the course of 7 years, Coulter had 14 brain and spine surgeries, 7 rounds of radiation treatments (spanning nearly 100 sessions), and countless rounds of chemotherapies. He was “the first” in several protocols including a new immunotherapy drug that has recently made headlines in the successful treatment of other types of cancer, passing forward the advancements in treatments made from the shoulders of those before him which he stood on. The very name “Coulter” is derived from a farm implement, knife-like blade that is the first to cut into the dirt ahead of a plow. Continuing with another “first” was one of his namesakes “John Coulter”, who was the first European to enter the region of the US which later became Yellowstone National Park, a favorite place of Coulter’s where he spent a great deal of his time when not in treatments or in school. It is our prayer that across Coulter’s struggles, he will have contributed to the cure to this terrible disease we and so many children are affected by.
Coulter was a patient in 11 different hospitals across 8 different states and was no stranger to the pain and hardship that came with being a cancer fighter, yet he was known for his smiles and positive attitude. Through it all, he put God first, trusted in God’s plan for him, and never gave up. Among his favorite sayings were "a family that prays together stays together" and "don't give up".
Gospel music and singing were among Coulter’s favorite passions. As common with most kids, he spent a tremendous amount of time Lego building. His “never give up” mentality was contagious and even after his spinal surgeries, Coulter worked his way up the belts of Taekwondo with an attitude that earned him an honorary black belt. He was also known for having an exceptional talent in marksmanship, making some amazing shots from a wide array of calibers including historical rifles. Like many boys, he enjoyed hunting and fishing and had a few tall tales of his own adventures that he gladly shared when asked. Coulter had a deep affection for children younger than he and was quick to relay jokes and pranks among friends and family, keeping laughter and smiles at the forefront. Along his widely traveled journey, Coulter befriended many inspirational people who shared a common passion. A few of these include Pope Francis, the famed high-wire walker Nik Wallenda, gospel music legend Guy Penrod, and Jurassic Park consult and renowned paleontologist Jack Horner.
Coulter’s faithful family is survived by the parents Michael and Courtney, and his two younger sisters Audrey and Codey, grandparents William and MacKay Schultz, and Edward and Arvelene Hnatt, great grandmother Arlene Wolfe, and godparents Steven Hnatt and Kelsey Schwei, and many aunts, uncles and cousins.
Coulter fought the good fight, finished the race, and received the Victory, won for all of us 2,000 years ago by Christ our Savior. We are certain that he now joins the angels, singing the “holy holy holy, is the Lord God Almighty” to our Heavenly Father. It is our prayer that the many other children who fight and will fight this same battle, will persevere through the faith of your prayers. Through these prayers, and the blessings brought fourth, we all will overcome the daily struggles no matter how difficult they may seem, as we see in Joshua 1:9 when he calls the faithful to...
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”
and John 16:33...
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
and Mathew 10:29-31...
“Yet not one of them (sparrow) will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”
God did not promise we would not “fall”, nor does our sovereign Lord and creator need to answer “why”, but He certainly promises us that we will be in “our Fathers care” no matter the circumstance.
Of special note is the walnut casket that was handcrafted specifically for Coulter by the Trappist monks of New Melleray Abbey in Iowa. The monks committed to praying for Coulter as they performed their work with the same hands accustomed to prayer.
There are three funds/organizations dedicated towards the cure for childhood brain cancer which provide direct support to the program that gave Coulter these last years of a quality of life.
Coulter’s immediate care and research team for the past 4 years has been the Pediatric Immunotherapy Program “Never Say No” at Augusta University: https://www.augusta.edu/giving/never.php
A broader organization which continues to provide critical funding to both the above program and children word-wide is the Alex’s Lemonade Foundation “Million Mile Team”: https://tinyurl.com/remembercoulter or https://www.alexslemonade.org/mypage/1796031/donate?member=465268
Another organization which addresses pediatric brain cancer that has supported Coulter and kids like him is Cannonball Kids Cancer. https://www.cannonballkidscancer.org/
Coulter’s Facebook Page with latest up-to-date information is: https://facebook.com/prayforcoulter

Funeral and Memorial Services are as follows:
Saturday, August 3rd, 2019 @3pm (visitation following)
First Baptist Church Augusta
3500 Walton Way Ext, Augusta, GA 30909
Saturday, August 10th, 2019 @3pm (reception following, then burial)
First Baptist Church Bryan
3100 Cambridge Dr, Bryan, TX 77802
Burial at College Station Memorial Cemetery
(new municipal side of Aggie Field of Honor, across from Easterwood Airport)
3800 Raymond Stotzer Parkway, College Station, TX 77845
Saturday, August 17th, 2019 @3pm (reception following)
Basilica and National Shrine at Holy Hill
Service in the St Therese Chapel
1525 Carmel Rd, Hubertus, WI 53033
Funeral Homes:
Georgia
Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Home
214 Davis Rd, Augusta, Ga 30907
706-362-8484
https://www.thomaspoteet.com/
Texas
Hillier Funeral Home (South)
4080 State Hwy 6, College Station, TX 77845
979-985-2060
https://www.hillierfh.com/tributes/Coulter-Hnatt

Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, 214 Davis Rd., Augusta, GA 30907 (706) 364-8484. Please sign the guestbook at www.thomaspoteet.com