Louie "Tex" Souza knew a little about everything. He enjoyed travel most and during his years in the service (serving as a Sergeant in the Army Air Corps in WWII and as a photographer in the US Navy during the Korean War)he traveled extensively, some of his favorite places being Fiji, Key West, Cuba and Mexico to name a few. He is the son of Azorean immigrants Louis B. and Maria Agusta Souza and the brother of Linda Digati and the late Americo Souza, Evelyn Riley and Theresa Borges. He started his travels early when, as a teen, he enlisted in the Civilian Conservation Corps. His first big trip was to Colorado to join the other young men who went to the CCC to better themselves, prepare for a military career or try to aid their country in the time of the Great Depression. When he returned, the local folks seemed to think he'd adopted the more Western dialect and dubbed him "Tex", a name friends called him until his death. A few years later he would serve in WWII. The Army trained him as a topographical photographer. Many stories have been shared about how he would "dangle by my ankles from an airplane over enemy lines" only to "have to develop the photos in mud puddles" to help create maps that would be later used by the Allied forces to attack in Europe. It wasn't all work and no play for Louie, he also photographed countless USO shows and met stars like Bob Hope, Jerry Colonna and Virginia Mayo. A portion of the original collection of pictures from the USO tours as well as the extensive photographs of nose art remain treasured family heirlooms. Later he switched to the US Navy and served much the same purpose as a photographer both for public relations and the business of war. Upon returning home he used his chemical knowledge to work with a local company pioneering a new concept material: Lucite. Louie worked for Clearfloat Division until his retirement in the 1980's. During his later years he was active with the Touisset (Warren) RI Volunteer Fire Department, holding the position of Assistant Chief for several years. His comrades in the department were most respectful and impressive at his funeral service, showing up in uniform and forming an honor guard for his burial. After a lifetime of building dams, participating in daring photo missions, creating uses for polymer (and other invention) and fighting fires; Louie enjoyed a quiet life and the company of a select few friends and family. Lou was always full of (sometimes unsolicited) advice. He enjoyed giving consultations on such vital subjects as cameras, fishing gear, lawnmowers and of course, he always threw in a a few tidbits about his favorite subject: life.