SARATOGA - Memorial services for Pat Shields, 69, will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. at the Saratoga High School Gymnasium.

He died Dec. 20, 2002, at his home.

He was born Aug. 13, 1933, in Loveland, Colo., to Stanley K. and Isabella C. (McCurrie) Shields.  A 1951 graduate of Sheridan High School, he attended Colorado A&M (Colorado State University) in Fort Collins from 1951-53, at which time he and his twin brother, Paul, enlisted in the U.S. Army.  After two years of service he returned to CSU, graduating in 1957.

He took a job with the Soil Conservation Service.  From there he worked for the Mill Iron Ranch in Thermopolis for a number of years.  He moved to the Basin Ranch of the Palm Cattle Co. in the early 1960s.  He retired from the Saratoga School System in 1998.  At the time of his death he was employed by Mountain Veterinary Supply.

He was a cowboy.  During his journeys, he was accompanied by his animal friends, Freddie Pixley, Louie Nye, Yetti Shields and Leon Spicer.

Survivors include his brothers, John of Fort Collins and Paul of Wheatland, and their wives; and numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.

His parents preceded him in death.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Platte River Rodeo Association, P.O. Box 442, Saratoga, 82331.