Charles 'Chuck' William Frutchey, 44

Charles "Chuck" William Frutchey, 44, was born July 5, 1967, in Chieng Mai, Thailand, to Rose Anna House Frutchey and Frank B. Frutchey. He died Jan. 27, 2012, in Fayetteville, N.C.

Chuck grew up on a ranch in Cataldo and attended elementary schools in Coeur d'Alene and Cataldo. Between his junior and senior years of high school, he joined the U.S. Army Reserve, where he completed basic training. He graduated from Kellogg High School in June 1985.

At the age of 19, he joined the 82nd Army Airborne and was stationed at Fort Bragg in Fayetteville. Chuck's unit was among the first to be deployed to Saudi Arabia to counter Saddam Hussein's invasion of Kuwait. After months on guard in the Saudi desert, his unit was part of the left hook sweep into Iraq where they encountered Iraqi Republican Guard troops. Before returning, in a major effort to deprive Iraq of weapons to fight again, the ammo dumps were blown up. He was ultimately exposed to sarin gas, which culminated in stage 4 melanoma.

Sergeant First Class Charles Frutchey served his country for 12 years and was the recipient of the Southwest Asia Service Medal and the Kuwait Libertarian Medal as well as U.S., Canadian and Chinese Parachutist's Badges. Upon his honorable discharge from the U.S. Army, Chuck continued to serve his nation as a hazardous materials handler, serving as a contractor for more than four years during the Operation Iraqi Freedom in both Qatar and Iraq.

In his leisure time, Chuck enjoyed hunting, fishing, billiards, rock crawling in his beloved Bronco, and relaxing with his family and friends around the fire pit. Boise State football games were particularly loved events.

Chuck is survived by his wife, Tammy; sons, Cody and Kale; step-son Joshua Hirsch; step-daughter Danon Hirsch; grandson Carter; granddaughter Elizabeth; his parents; sister Suzan; brother Eric; his little buddy, T-Brett; as well as countless friends, family and loved ones.

Chuck's remains will be cremated. His funeral will be held Saturday, Feb. 4, 2012, in North Carolina. A memorial service will be held on the Fourth of July in Idaho.