FORT SMITH - "Lou" Lewis R. Fordyce, 56, who purchased and operated Yellowtail Department Store from 1961 until 1969 when he went to work as a power plant operator at Yellowtail Dam, died Saturday in his home, due to cancer.

Born in Putnam County, Mo., a son of Mr. and Mrs. Everette Fordyce, he moved to Sheridan, Wyo., at age four, where he was raised and received his schooling.

He married Bette M. Oser in 1942, served in the U.S. army in 1943 and received an honorable discharge in 1946.

He was manager of Vaughn-Ragsdale stores in Livingston and Miles City from 1946 until 1961.

A member of the National Guard for 23 years, he was a member of Masonic Lodge, Al Bedoo Shrine Temple and Christian Church of Sheridan, Wyo.

Survivors include the widow; two sons, Randy and Richard, both of Houston, Tex.; a sister, Mrs. Wayne Martin of Clearfield, Utah; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Harold Bryce of Sheridan, Wyo.; and a granddaughter.

Services will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday in American Lutheran Church, Hardin. Burial will be in Custer Battlefield National Cemetery under the direction of Bullis Mortuary.

The Billings Gazette - Dec. 18, 1977.