Shelby Dee Wuthrich Obituary (1970

Shelby Dee Wuthrich was freed from pain and took his last flight to heaven on March 25, 2023. Shelby was born on June 10, 1970 in Santa Cruz, California. He was such a likable guy. We like to think he started the California movement to Idaho when he and his family moved to Twin Falls, Idaho shortly after birth. As with any small town's claim to fame, Twin Falls is known for daredevils and thrill seekers like Evel Knievel, and in our hearts, Shelby. Shelby was known for his thrill seeking behaviors, full throttle attitude, and of course love for friends, family, and strangers. Full throttle was Shelby's gift to life. Motorcycles had one wheel, not two. Boats didn't have paddles, they had engines, large ones creating rooster tails 20' high and 80' long. Corvettes weren't for retired old guys in their 60's, they were for thrill seekers attempting 0-60 in a matter of seconds and proving they are, in fact, made of fiberglass according to the Boise Police and a downtown pole.Shelby worked at the local family greenhouse business as a young boy. He graduated from Twin Falls High School in 1988, later attending Boise State University where he earned his Bachelor Degree. He joined the Army where he pursued and accomplished his dream of flying. He proudly served his country while living his passion of soaring the skies in the Apache helicopter. In June 1997, Shelby was the sole survivor of a helicopter crash that took the lives of two others. Following his accident, Shelby fought an uphill battle of pain, paralysis, and a deteriorating body. His love for flying, however, never changed. Shelby's determination and zeal to fly would later find him overcoming his traumatic past by flying in a helicopter similar to the one from his tragic accident. Shelby effortlessly used this same determination and zeal for flying in his relationships with family and friends. Shelby was not one to let you down. He was the life of the party. People flocked to Shelby seeking his contagious smile, charisma, and wild stories, of which could not be effectively retold by anyone else. It brings comfort knowing Shelby is finally free from pain and suffering and is reunited with his cherished dog, Baylee. Shelby graduated basic training in Fort Knox, Kentucky in August of 1989 as a Private in the United States Army. He went on and graduated Advanced Individual Training as an Observation/Scout Helicopter Repairer at Fort Rucker on December 17, 1989. He was then assigned to Company A, 1-183rd Aviation Battalion (AtkHel) in the Idaho Army National Guard. Shelby was selected to attend flight school in 1991 and was appointed a Warrant Officer Candidate and returned to Fort Rucker to attend United States Army flight School. He graduated flight school on June 24, 1992 and was rated as an OH-58 Scout Helicopter pilot. He then began qualification training in the AH-64A Apache. After being qualified in the AH-64 Apache, Shelby returned to Idaho and was re-assigned to Company A, 1-183rd Aviation Battalion (AtkHel) as an AH-64 Apache pilot. Shelby was promoted to Chief Warrant Officer Two on July 15, 1994. In 1996 Shelby continued his aviation professional development by graduating from the Aircraft Survivability Equipment/Electronic Warfare Course at Fort Rucker. Shelby's awards and decorations include:Certificate of Achievement from his Command Group in Basic Training, Certificate of Achievement from his Command Group for Excellence while attending Advanced Individual Training, Letter of Commendation from the Command Group while attending Advanced Individual Training, Army Service Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Idaho Emergency Duty Ribbon, Idaho Service Ribbon (2nd Award), Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal (3rd award), Army Achievement Medal, Aircraft Crewman Badge, Army Aviator Badge.Shelby is survived by his mom, Donna (Tommie "Dad") Sisk, brothers, Gentry (Kelly) Wuthrich and Chad (Nichole) Sligar, sisters, Jenny (Mark) Neeley and Jamie (Spencer) Widman. He is also survived by numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and grandmother. He was preceded in death by his dad, David Wuthrich.A viewing for family and friends will take place at Bella Vida Funeral Home in Garden City, Idaho, on Saturday, April 1, from 11 am - 1:15 pm. There will be military honors conducted at 1:30pm. Immediately following, we will celebrate Shelby at Club Karma, 800 W Idaho St., Boise, Idaho until 6 pm sharing stories of our beloved son, brother and friend.