Francis R. Pulliam Sr. 'Russ,' 87
Francis R. Pulliam Sr. "Russ," 87, resident of Coeur d'Alene, passed away March 26, 2013, at Kootenai Medical Center.
The middle of three boys, Russ was born to Howard E. and Harriett E. (Bibighaus) Pulliam in Fort Sam Houston, Texas, on Feb. 11, 1926. As a military career family, they lived in many areas of the U.S. and Panama before settling in Fort Missoula, Mont.
In 1943, at age 17, Russ joined the U.S. Marine Corps. He fought during World War II in Iwo Jima and helped secure the Port of Nagasaki. He was discharged in 1945 and returned to Missoula where he operated a service station with his older brother Howard for a few years before joining the police force in August of 1947. He worked his way up through the ranks of the force, and became the Assistant Chief of Police. In February 1951 he joined the Montana Army National Guard, and in 1953 he accepted a direct commission and became a pilot. In 1959, his National Guard Unit was activated and he was injured in the Montana Prison Riot, which ended his police and military career. He retired from the force in 1961. His passion for the job did not end there. He went on to become a Missoula County Undersheriff.?Russ met Laura Fallon at work, and the two married in Coeur d'Alene in 1968. Eventually they retired to Seeley Lake, Mont., and in 1990 they moved to Coeur d'Alene.
Russ enjoyed riding motorcycles. He rode his own Harley Davidson, as well as the police department's tricycle. He was the first officer in Montana to ride a two-wheeled bike. He was a longtime member of the Hoodoo Hippies Chapter of the A.B.A.T.E. of North Idaho Motorcycle Organization. He was also a lifetime member of the VFW Post No. 209, the Montana Retired Police Officers Association, Elks USA and the Moose Lodge.
Russ was friendly, and always quick with a story. He will be missed by many, and loved forever by his family and friends.
He is survived by his wife of nearly 45 years, Laura Pulliam; four children: Russ Pulliam Jr. (Lynda), Lee Pulliam, Al Popiel (Ruth) and Victoria Backa; four grandchildren: Russeell Pulliam, Jennifer Miller, Laura Massie and Johnathan Popiel; seven great-grandchildren: Stone, Adora, Lazarus, Levee, Nick, Haily and Cole; as well as his younger brother, Jim.?He was preceded in death by his parents and older brother, Howard.
Memorials may be made in Russ's name to the Kootenai Cancer Center, 1440 E. Mullan Ave., Post Falls, ID 83854, or to A.B.A.T.E. of North Idaho Motorcycle Organization c/o Jack Clark, 15956 S. Rockford Heights Road, Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, April 2, 2013, at English Funeral Chapel, 1133 N Fourth St., Coeur d'Alene. He will be laid to rest at Western Montana State Veterans Cemetery in Missoula at a later date.
Please sign Russ's online memorial at www.englishfuneralchapel.com.