John Theodore Poulos Jr.

He was born in Hendersonville, North Carolina on October 13, 1926, to the late Mr. and Mrs. John T. Poulos, Sr. (Lydia Rose). Mr. Poulos is the grandson of the late Mr. and Mrs. John J.A. Gwin (Francis Louise) of Atlanta, Fulton County, Georgia and the late Mr. and Mrs. Theodosios Vlahopoulos (Eufrosini) of Kilkis, Central Macedonia, Greece.

Mr. Poulos was married to the late Ann Jean Duncan Poulos of Pickens, South Carolina. Survived by his daughter, Ann Michele Poulos of Pickens, South Carolina; sister-in-law, Rebecca Caroline Duncan Doyle (Edward Thomas, Jr.) of Hockessin, Delaware; nieces: Mrs. Rebecca Lynn Sterr Henry (Michael Joseph) of Sicklerville, New Jersey, Erin Lindsay Doyle of Wilmington, Delaware, Jackie Gamadanis Fears, (Emory), Karen Gamadanis Sturdevant (Kenneth) of Cumming, Georgia, Ruby Dawn Sheppard Gamadanis (the late David Robert); nephews: Matthew Edward Doyle of Newark, Delaware, Mark Gamadanis (Bonnie)of Concord, North Carolina; grandnieces: Ashley Elizabeth Fears of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, Amanda Gamadanis Bosch (Scott) of Denton, North Carolina, Olivia Gamadanis (Trevor Martin) of Rock Springs, Georgia, Sarah Anne Henry of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

grandnephew: Michael Andrew Henry of Sicklerville, New Jersey; and great grandnieces: Katelyn Elizabeth Bosch and Emily Ruth Bosch of Denton, North Carolina. Mr. Poulos is the brother-in-law of the late Linda Kay Duncan Cox of Woodbury, New Jersey.

He lived a life filled with faith, love, and family. Loyalty and integrity were very important to him. He would incorporate those values throughout his life. Always thinking of others and how to guide them in achieving their goals. He was loved by others for his friendship. Though he was so blessed he was very humble.

He raised his wife’s two young sisters with his daughter. He loved them as his own and, later when grown, their families. Coaching the girls in sports and life. Training his daughter in track and field for the Junior Olympics. Raising three girls, he saw to their rearing by ensuring they were independent and steadfast; an important trait in a changing world. In the summer, the family had many wonderful and fun adventures on vacation. He loved his sibling’s families as much. He loved visiting family and friends in the summer and at the big Thanksgiving gatherings. Spending time with his ‘second family,’ Robert “Bobby” N. Williams, Sr., also a ‘48 Clemson Gator Bowl Player, whose children, he loved dearly to the end.

Mr. Poulos graduated from Spartanburg High School in Spartanburg, South Carolina. He attended Clemson College on an athletic scholarship, where he played basketball and football. After his first year he was drafted into the Army to serve in WW II. He served in the Pacific Theater of War. Shipping out, he arrived in the Philippines and assigned to the 41st Division Infantry Regiment and shortly after, the Division was sent to Hiroshima thirty days after the atomic bomb was dropped. During his tour in Japan, he served on the 41st Division Jungaliers Football team and played in the first Tokyo Rose Bowl. He said it was an enjoyable experience.

Returning to Hiroshima, the 41st Division was reassigned to the 24th Division. After serving his two years, he returned to Clemson on his GI bill as requested by Coach Frank Howard to all the players who served in the war. This way the coach could build the team by offering scholarships to other potential players. While at Clemson, he married Ann Jean Duncan, who was his biggest fan and supporter. He was President of the C Block Club. Clemson’s 48th Football season was undefeated and received an invitation to play Missouri in the Gator Bowl on January 1, 1949. In the final minutes of the last quarter, he caught a touchdown pass, making him the first player in Clemson history to do so in a bowl game. Clemson kicked the field goal winning the Gator Bowl game. He graduated with a Degree in Architectural Engineering. He was a Professional Architectural and Civil Engineer.

His first job was with the City of Richmond in the Housing Department. After a year, he accepted the position with DuPont de Nemours Company as the Assistant Design Engineer at the Savannah Nuclear Plant being built on the Savannah River near Augusta, Georgia. His area of specialty at the time was concrete and steel. After completion of the plant, Dupont centralized all the engineers to Louviers Engineer Building in Newark, Delaware. He worked for 35 years at Dupont. Finishing his tenure with Dupont in Charlotte North Carolina, he worked at Fluor-Daniels in Greenville, South Carolina as a liaison between the two companies. He retired after five years to his home in Easley, South Carolina.

During his lifetime he participated in so many community activities, volunteering at fairs, refereeing Christian basketball and football games, providing his expertise to various community organizations on building renovations for churches, museums and libraries, including the Hagood-Mauldin Historical House and Irma Morris Museum of Fine Arts in Pickens, South Carolina. Through the Pickens Historical Society, he worked with the Architectural Conservators, contractors and volunteers.

In 2001, his wife and him moved to Cave Creek, Arizona, for a decade then returned to Pickens in 2011. While in Arizona, he volunteered his time to the Presbytery of the Grand Canyon where he worked assessing 72 buildings at the Ganado Mission, a National Landmark (2009), located in Ganado Arizona on the Navajo Reservation. He worked with the contactors on stabilizing the Ganado Presbyterian Church foundation at the Mission site. The Ganado Mission was the largest Native American Mission.

His favorite pastime was watching Clemson football. Always coaching from his chair in front of the TV or at the game itself. On his 97th birthday, his VA nurse utilized her Clemson contacts to see that he had a birthday to remember. The Tiger Band showed and played the Tiger Rag as he came to the Pavilion at the Rehab Center. The Cheerleaders cheered and three Magnificent Clemson Football players came with gifts and shared their experiences with him and vice versa. Quite a gathering with family and friends.

In his later years, Mr. Poulos resided at the Palmetto Patriots VA Nursing home in Gaffney, South Carolina. He became involved in the Chapel. He wrote a monthly devotion, sang in the PPH choir and gave the service closing prayer. A true defender of his faith. A participant in the daily activities and festivals held at the home. The staff gave him the name Smiley since he was always smiling, cheerful and sociable with everyone. He established new friendships and tailgated with the Clemson fans as they watched the Clemson games in the activities room. His time was well spent.

Mr. Poulos became a member (2019) of First Presbyterian Church in Greenville, South Carolina. He was a Deacon in the PC(USA) when living in Wilmington, Delaware. Mr. Poulos used his God given talents to the fullest of his abilities. One could state he was truly blessed. His life is best described in 2 Timothy 4:6-8. He lived fully….

He is greatly loved by his family and friends and will truly be missed by all of us.

The family extends their deepest thanks to the doctors and staff at the SRHS Cherokee County Hospital and the SRHC Hospice Staff for the professional practice and committed care. To the Palmetto Patriots VA Nursing Home, whose motto is ‘serving those who served,’ a multitude of gratitude for their loving care and professional practice, and especially for keeping the Vets active and involved. Thank you all for his wonderful care.

Graveside Services will be held on Monday, February 23rd at 3:00 PM at Hillcrest Memorial Park, Pickens South Carolina.

On Tuesday, February 24th, a Memorial Service will be held at The Palmetto Patriot Veteran Administration Nursing Home in Gaffney, South Carolina, 120 Hampshire Drive. The service will begin at 10:00 AM.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Jud Davis, Joseph H. Nelson, Floyd Ballard, Edward T. Doyle, Jr., Robert N. Williams, Jr., Kenneth Sturtevant, Bradley Williams, Mark Gamdanis, Ronald Bates, Daniel Williams, Del King, Andy Cone, Michael Joseph Henry, Scott Bosch, Matthew Edward Doyle, Trevor Martin, and Michael Andrew Henry.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations made to The Chapel at Palmetto Patriots VA Home, 120 Hampshire Road, Gaffney, SC 29341; The American Legion Post #3, 430 Main Street # 2027, Greenville SC 29601; Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Women’s Mission, 620 Pleasant Grove Road, Pickens, SC 29671.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting www.dillardfunerals.com. Dillard Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.