Served his nation for 29 years in the military
Serving his country around the globe was a good fit for David Innis ’59. Twenty-nine years in the military, highlighted by receiving a Bronze Star for meritorious service in a combat zone, saw David protecting the nation’s interest in the Persian Gulf, Vietnam, and Seychelle Islands as well as at several stateside bases.
While at SHS David played tennis and played baritone in the Whippet band. Following graduation, he earned both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in wildlife management from Utah State University. After serving 7 years as an Air Force air traffic controller, he then earned a Juris Doctorate at Gonzaga University.
His 29 years of military service also included 22 years as an attorney in the Coast Guard from which he retired as a captain (equivalent to colonel in the Army or Air Force).
His high regard for SHS was demonstrated in 1997 when he returned to Shelby to join an alumni band commemorating 500 consecutive football game performances.
David died at 60 from ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease). He was interred with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery. Says a fellow alum, “David’s loyalty to his country and his faith was evident in giving of himself in many capacities wherever he was – from military assignments around the world to church to choir to youth to committees to community service.”