Toby Shields

1972 - 2024

On October 27th 1972 Willie Toby Shields made his appearance and in addition to his older sister Denise completed the family of Jim and Shirley Shields.It was mining that brought this little family from Utah to Custer County, first living at Saturday Mountain before settling in Pahsimeroi valley. Growing up Toby experienced all the freedom which country kids do.A chance wrestling match in grade school resulted in one of many "bromances" that ended the "newbie" status. It also brought many other such matches that Tobe rarely lost. His knack for wrestling continued all through his school years ending with placing at state, despite being reprimanded for showering in the girls locker room after a previous tournament.His dad taught him the love of nature and the outdoors. Spending weeks hunting with his dad often staying in a wall tent, fishing with many of the old-timers and away from the women as his dad would say. Full of wild youthful restlessness and shenanigans he roamed the beloved valley with other Pahsimeroi kids and a few "townies" with lots of good times, great memories and stories to be had although most are not fit for print. It was Scott Whitworth first who taught the scrawny 7 year old appreciation for ranching, from feeding, moving pipe and mucking stalls, to raking , baling hay, fencing and calving. Toby worked for Scott all through high school, after graduation he moved to Utah briefly. It did not take long for Toby to realize town just wasn't for him, he longed for open skies and the Pahsimeroi valley. Upon returning home, the little feisty brown eyed Montana implant from across the street sparked his interest, they dated and she took a swing at him the first time he kissed her, boy did he like a challenge. Toby went to work for Harold Steele, owner of AmRen Enterprises installing irrigation pipelines and pivots. After a few years he returned to the ranching that he loved. It was while he was working for Circle PI ranch in Pahsimeroi that his daughter Patricia Ann was born and his heart was full. In 2004 he finally got the feisty brown eyed gal of his to agree to marriage, and they continued to build their amazing life together. Toby moved his family to the chilly slough by Mackay where he proudly worked for Mountain Springs ranch for 20 years. During this time he was honored with the title of Papa, his biggest treasure.He never was much for materialistic things, all he wanted was his family happy and healthy, the opportunity to help others. Toby worked hard and played hard and he always stood up for what he believed in. Some would say he had many friends, he would say he was blessed with lots of family. While it is true cancer robbed him from us way too soon, it didn't have a chance of breaking his fighting spirit that was still roaring when God called him home on July 18th 2024.This is the part that tradition states you should list whom he was preceded by and whom he is survived by. Toby would say he was preceded by those who loved him and have gone on before him.He is survived by all who love him and that he has had to leave behind. And while he would not be opposed to a raised glass he would not like anyone to drown their sorrow in it. Instead he would say remember the good times and live your life fully as he did, not taking a single breath for granted. Toby disliked the sadness funerals bring at his request; there will not be one. There will be a celebration of life at a later date. In lieu of flowers he would request you find your two left feet and take your gal out dancing, call up that old friend, take the family on a tailgate picnic, go for that hike, and always throw that line in the water. Take time to cherish the gift you've been given and treasure it.Arrangements are under the care of the Anderson Family Funeral Home in Arco.