SHERIDAN - Funeral services for Sheridan resident Louis "Louie" Poulos, 85, will be conducted at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 24, at First Baptist Church in Sheridan by Pastor Ken Doolin. Burial will be in Sheridan Municipal Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, Feb. 24, at Champion-Ferries Funeral Home in Sheridan.

He died Feb. 18, 2004, at his home.

Born Aug. 25, 1918, in Sheridan, he was the son of Steve and Olga (Kamanos) Poulos; was raised and educated there; and, in 1941, graduated from Sheridan High School, where he was a standout athlete.

He joined the U.S. Army in 1941 and was trained as a radio operator with the 137th Signal Radio Intelligence Co. Serving during World War II and the Korean War, he was stationed in the Korean demilitarized zone and had a bullet ricochet off his helmet, which changed his life. He was awarded the American Defense Service, American Service, WWII Victory and Good Conduct medals; Combat Infantry Badge; and Korean Service Medal, with two bronze service stars. After returning to Sheridan, he joined the Wyoming National Guard and served until 1986; and also was affiliated, at retired status, with the Department of the Army. He was presented the Army Reserve Components Achievement and Meritorious Service medals.

On April 11, 1948, he married Helen Kincaid in Sheridan. They bought the Eagle Shoe Shop in 1953 and operated it until 1993. He also worked at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in 1972 and retired in 1987.

He was a member of First Baptist Church; Gideons International; Sheridan Historical Society, where he was instrumental in the Street Car Project; and R.E.A.C.T. An originator of the American Legion Drum and Bugle Corps, he helped design the uniforms. An avid fisherman in his earlier years, he enjoyed the Community Concert series and cooking; and loved to take the family on picnics in the Big Horn Mountains.

Survivors include his wife of 55 years of Sheridan; two sons, Jerry Edward Poulos of Sheridan and Albert Jay Poulos and his wife of Sioux Falls, S.D.; three sisters, Frances Petrocich of Rock Springs, Helen Johnson of Sheridan and Mary Caprielian of California; four grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother.

Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church Building Fund, 1100 Big Horn Ave., Sheridan, WY 82801.

Casper Star-Tribune - Feb. 21, 2004.