Bradley William Poulson
December 4, 1963 - November 9, 2025
Celebrating the Life of Bradley William Poulson
Bradley “Brad” William Poulson, 61, passed away on November 9, 2025 after a long hard ten month battle with lung cancer. Sally Griego, his partner of 37 years was by his side. Brad leaves behind a legacy of being the best friend anyone could have, a devoted mate, a skilled craftsman, an excellent cook, and a wit that could bring a laugh instantly.
Brad was born on December 4, 1963, in Portland, Oregon. He was the beloved son of Jerry Poulson and Donna (Poulson) Schmidt, and the endlessly entertaining brother of Rhonda Stobbe, Oregon, and Randy Stobbe (wife Carol), Wisconsin.
Grades 1-12 Brad attended numerous schools in many states, including Oregon, Idaho, Colorado, Wisconsin and Florida living with his parents, then his father who served as a fireman with the U S Air Force . As a young adult, Brad’s work was in construction, working side by side with his older brother Randy Stobbe who taught him a lot about the importance of work ethic and the benefits of giving one’s 100%. A feather in his cap was when in his late teens he was part of the work crew who built the Centennial Airport in Denver, Colorado. He went to Phoenix in his early 20’s having enrolled in a trade school for Heating & Air Conditioning, living with his dad Jerry. Like many young adults trying ro figure out life, Brad had a hard time staying in one place or even in one profession. Coming back to Denver, he worked for a Heating and A/C company working in computer rooms related to the airport, then moved into installing burglar alarms with his stepdad and a friend. Brad’s moving from jobs and where he lived, in the long run, provided him the gift of flexibility and to be able to fit in wherever he was,
At age 25 Brad met his to be lifelong mate, Sally Griego, with whom he spent his next 37 years. Their time together has been full of adventure -skiing the slopes of Colorado, world travelling to far reaches as Australia visiting Sally’s daughter on a semester abroad, ocean cruises with Brad’s parents to the Mediterranean and Carribean, two Viking river cruises down the Blue Danube and the Muddy Mississippi (our final trip in 2023), running a Bed & Breakfast (The River Run Inn) for 14 years in Salida, Colorado where he was the chef and grounds maintenance man. He and Sally loved Salida, their friends and its community so much that after selling the B&B in late 2017, found a perfect retirement property just outside Salida proper that consists of two acres and a separate garage ideal for Brad’s Man Cave. He and Sally split their time between their two homes – the other in Centennial, CO. Through it all- Brad was an influential person in Sally’s daughter, Alex’s life, age 3 when he and Sally met, and then later a grandpa to her son Niko, now 13, who live in Chandler, AZ. Many car trips were made through the 19 years.
Brad had many skills and could pretty much fix any project given to him, but what he enjoyed most was working on his various vehicles. A favorite pastime in particular was working on his 1978 Chevy two tone yellow truck his dad had spotted for sale at a gas station in Pocatello Idaho where he was then living. Brad drove the open miles to bring it back to Salida, where he and his truck became a known item, cruising the streets with his driver’s window rolled down and the big engine humming. Brad solely replaced the monstrous engine during Covid with his uncanny resourceful ability to figure out how to use pulleys and leverage .
Brad enjoyed his sports - first and foremost a Green Bay Packers fan and a decent second – the Denver Broncos (when the Packers weren’t playing) Undoubtedly he could have opened a store with all the paraphernalia and Green Bay Packers clothes he got for Christmas and birthdays and several new hats per year he bought himself! And NASCAR – Brad was glued to the TV opening day until the last race of the season – Hendrick Motorsports, Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt – no better entertainment for him with a Miller Lite in hand – now that was a Sunday
Things he liked and loved: a great wrist watch, a well made pocket knife, a pair of hide cowboy boots, John Wayne, a new ball cap, a rugged good looking jacket from Murdoch’s Ranch and Home, shooting his guns at the range, a good looking pickup truck and driving his own, fast cars, afternoons shooting the breeze with his longtime friend Don Mayer, a beer in his Man Cave with a buddy, cross country car trips, good rock’n roll and heavy metal music, giving his dogs morning rubs, sitting on the back patio of our cabin in the Poudre Canyon listening to the radio, barbequeing, making a good meal for friends, cooking soups or stews in the winter, hearing outrageous life stories told by his brother Randy and wife Carolyn, visits with Alex and Niko, traveling, Christmas and hanging outdoor Christmas lights, football, the Colorado Avalanche, TV show “Deadliest Catch”, $1 DVD movies found in bins, tools, tools, tools, 7- Eleven coffee, clean car exteriors, sweets at night, his across the miles family, and the life he and Sally had together
In addition to his parents, Brad was preceded in death by his grandparents, Fred & Blanch Poulson, Cousin, Debbie Baird, and several Aunts and Uncles. He is survived by his partner, Sally Griego, her daughter, Alexandra Kamouzis, grandson, Niko Kamouzis, his stepfather, Tim Schmidt; 2 nephews, Chad Stobbe (wife Val), Shawn Stobbe (wife Nancy), 2 nieces, Shelly Henke (husband John), Mindy Stobbe, grand nieces and nephews.
Brad leaves behind many people who love him and will miss him beyond what words can express, but he will never be forgotten. He filled any room with his charismatic personality, quick wit, wonderful smile and beautiful sparkling eyes. You would instantly like him and want to get to know him better, He left us too young, but he was happy with his life, and we can only imagine the laughs he’s getting in heaven. It wouldn’t take much because he was genuinely himself, and that was more than enough!
