The Tartan Review

Longtime Homestead High School social studies teacher and coach, Jim Coutts, passed away on November 30, 2020. Upon his retirement from Homestead in 1994, Mr. Coutts continued decades of service to the Cedarburg community, including participation on the Cedarburg School Board, Cedarburg Common Council, Cedarburg-Grafton Rotary Club, initiating the Greater Cedarburg Foundation, and serving as Mayor of Cedarburg from 1999-2003. Additionally, Jim was involved in many club and civic organizations, including the Cedarburg Lions, the Cedarburg Fire Department, and represented the Cedarburg Light and Water utility on a national level.

Several months after his passing, a plan was initiated to develop a community project in honor of Mr. Coutts and all he did for the academic, athletic communities of Homestead and his hometown of Cedarburg. Plans have been designed for a memorial that would be located near the Cedarburg community gym. The inscription on the wall will represent the words that Jim lived by: IT’S NOT WHAT YOU’VE GOT — IT’S WHAT YOU GIVE — THAT MEASURES THE WORTH OF THE LIFE YOU LIVE.

The project is entirely privately funded, and on behalf of Jim's widow, Carol Coutts, the Cedarburg community is actively seeking donations to finish the project. During his career, Jim Coutts was a legendary supporter of reaching and cultivating Homestead youth both on the field and in the classroom. If you are able to donate any amount to help complete this memorial, your support would be greatly appreciated.

For more information, please follow the link below to a donation page for the Cedarburg-Grafton Rotary Club. As a non-profit organization, your donation to the Rotary is tax-deductible.