George Coulam, famously known as “King George,” the founder of the Texas Renaissance Festival and longtime mayor of Todd Mission, has reportedly been found dead at age 87. This shocking development emerged just weeks after a court-ordered sale of the very festival he built over five decades ago. The news has sent ripples through the community, especially among the festival’s staff, supporters, and vendors who were still digesting recent dramatic legal shifts.
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George Coulam’s Death: Timing Raises Questions
According to confirmed reports, George Coulam was discovered lifeless at his residence in Todd Mission, Texas, early Tuesday morning. Authorities responded to the scene, with investigations already underway. His death follows closely on the heels of a massive legal ruling that not only forced him to finalize the $60 million sale of the Texas Renaissance Festival but also penalized him with over $23 million in damages and legal costs.
Though no official cause of death has been released yet, those familiar with his recent legal and personal battles believe the stress surrounding these events may have played a significant role. Until recently, George Coulam wielded enormous influence as both festival founder and city mayor. That era has now come to a sudden and unexpected end.
The Rise and Fall of George Coulam: Texas’ “King George”
George Coulam earned the nickname “King George” for good reason. Since founding the Texas Renaissance Festival in 1974, he turned what was once a barren piece of land into one of the country’s largest themed events. Each fall, the grounds welcomed hundreds of thousands of attendees, drawn by the mix of fantasy, history, performance, and artisan craftsmanship.
He wasn’t just the founder; he ruled the show with a strong hand. In 1982, he helped incorporate the city of Todd Mission and took on the role of mayor, holding that office until May 2025. He lost re-election just weeks before his death, marking the first time Todd Mission would see a new face at the helm—Stephen Mensing.
Yet his legacy was not without controversy. In recent years, a growing number of former staff and vendors voiced allegations of inappropriate conduct and workplace hostility. Those claims gained national attention following the release of a behind-the-scenes documentary that cast a harsh light on festival operations and Coulam’s leadership.
Key Legal Ruling and the Future of the Festival
In the weeks leading up to his death, George Coulam was the subject of a contentious legal dispute. After entering into a sale agreement with a group of investors—Texas Stargate, Royal Campgrounds, and RW Lands—he reportedly backed out, leading to a court battle that exposed deeper issues inside the festival’s management.
In early May 2025, a judge ruled against Coulam, ordering him to complete the $60 million sale and pay a staggering $23 million in penalties. The ruling struck a significant blow to his public image, especially for someone once seen as the undisputed monarch of this Texas tradition.
Ownership of the festival will now transition fully to the buyer consortium, which has expressed intentions to maintain the event’s core identity while making key improvements. Vendor agreements and seasonal plans for 2025 are expected to continue as scheduled, though the absence of its iconic founder will undoubtedly change the tone of future events.
George Coulam’s Complex Legacy
While many longtime festival-goers mourn the loss of George Coulam, others see his passing as the closing of a complicated chapter. He built something extraordinary—no one disputes that. But how he ran it, how he treated people, and how he responded to scrutiny paints a mixed picture.
“King George” was never just a character on the festival stage. He lived that role in real life—brilliant, eccentric, commanding, and at times, deeply controversial. For some, he was a visionary; for others, a tyrant. His death doesn’t erase that complexity. It only makes the coming months more vital for those left to carry forward his creation.
The city of Todd Mission will now move forward without the man who shaped its history from day one. And the Texas Renaissance Festival will enter a new era—one without George Coulam, but still shaped by the legacy, both good and bad, that he leaves behind.
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