Stephen Elwood “Puggins” Paulos Sr., 72, of Ottumwa, passed away at 12:35 a.m. March 4, 2022 at University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics in Iowa City from complications from pulmonary fibrosis.
He was born February 11, 1950 in Ottumwa to Robert and Rose Etta Maxine Bailey Paulos. Steve married Paula McKim Thudium and later divorced. He later married Diane Hanna and they divorced. On December 27, 2014 he married Marie Birkinbine.
A 1968 graduate of Ottumwa High School, Steve was a lifelong resident of Ottumwa. He was a mechanic and retired from the Ottumwa Water Works in 2005.
Steve was an excellent guitar player and an avid lover of old country music. He had many jam sessions in “The Garage” with many local musicians. He had many hobbies which included stock car racing with his brother, Dobber, and Mike Shelton, and restoration of a red Ford pickup.
His passions were God, family and friends. He has attended Calvary Baptist Church and First Pentecostal Assembly of God.
Steve is survived by his wife, Marie Carter-Paulos; his sons, Stephen Elwood Paulos Jr and Chris (Julie) Bruner; step-son, Kevin (Christy) Carter and step-daughter, Kari (Robbie) Adamson; grandchildren, Stephen John (Valerie) Paulos, Douglas Boyd, Bobby (Cheyanne) Boyd, Paula Paulos, Chelsie Smith, Riley Smith, Cole (Hailey) Adamson, Connor Adamson , Kameron Carter, Olivia House, Cohen Adamson and Chloe Carter; great-grandchildren, Kaydence, Colt, Wyatt, Freya and Benelli; siblings, Mary Ann (Danny) Toubekis, Thelma Meeker, Chris (Jack) Showman, Paul David “Dobber” (Sally) Paulos and Roberta (James) Bradley.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Margaret Scully and a brother, Joseph Paulos.
Visitation will be open at 1 p.m. Monday, March 7th at Reece Funeral Home with the family present to greet friends from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday.
Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Tuesday, March 8th at Reece Funeral Home with Pastor John Virden and Pastor Richard Schlotter officiating. For those unable to attend, the service may be viewed live on the Reece Funeral Home Facebook page. Burial will be in Shaul Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Ottumwa High School Music Boosters.