Sidney Andrew Wallwork

Sidney Andrew Wallwork left us last Friday evening, December 6th, most suddenly and unexpectedly. Though brutally tragic for those of us left behind, most certainly, the dogs in heaven are rejoicing. Every day of his life Sid owned and loved a dog or two, and there was a great pack of them up there waiting for him. No doubt he was knocked down and stampeded on his way to the pearly gates.

To know Sid was to love him. He was a big man with an even bigger heart. He was hilarious. He made friends in a moment. Every nurse or technician, every custodian, every drive-through worker or cashier he joked with, connected with, asked about their life or their families. He never worried about being appropriate, so everyone felt comfortable around him. He made everyone laugh, and he never left a doctor’s office without making a friend. He will be long remembered in every place he frequented, and by many people he encountered just for a moment. He accepted everyone just as they were, and he made the world a better place in this way.

Sid was born May 27, 1958 in South Ogden, UT to Dean and Barbara Wallwork. He often joked that being the baby of the family, by rights he should have been spoiled, but instead, was mostly picked on. Sid respected and admired his father and adored his mother, who he viewed as an angel. For all his life he was deeply grateful for the many things his father taught him, and the love of his good mother. He enjoyed her homemade soup, her hugs and how she would wrap him up in a blanket straight from the dryer. He tried to pass these things on to his own children.

Sid grew up in South Ogden and attended Bonneville High School. Due to being both brilliant and free spirited, he achieved excellent marks, while simultaneously getting up to all sorts of mischief. He cruised around on his motorbike with a boombox strapped to the back. He attempted to set the land speed record on his skateboard and scraped most of the skin off his chest. He skied off the back side at Powder and parasailed over Pineview with a rigged-up army surplus parachute being pulled by a homemade boat. (Those of you who know Sid, know this may or may not be 100% accurate.)

He graduated Bonneville in 1976 and spent 1977-78 at Weber State College where his “splendid scholastic achievement” earned him the rank of Honor Student each quarter. However, in 1979 his Uncle Clay, who worked at Utah Power, helped him to get a job at the company, and Sid ditched academics to begin a 45-year career in a job that he loved.

In 1980, Sid married his high school sweetheart, Janet Cook, and they raised three beautiful children, Quentin, Jessica and Brianne. From the moment of their births, these children became the love of his life, his reason for carrying on. Their growing up years were his favorite time of life and he would often recall the joy of sleeping in on a Sunday morning, when the kids would come running in and jump on the bed. It was his favorite thing. He kept many sweet moments from this time in his heart and could tell story after story about each one. He always wanted them to know he was there for them, and would do anything to protect them, and keep them from harm. There was not a moment of his life that he did not love them more than life itself.

Sid worked actively for the power company for 39 years. He was a journeyman lineman and later, a journeyman substation technician. He could climb a 30-foot pole with spikes and a belt full of tools. He wasn’t afraid of electricity because he understood it, but he’d seen it arc and burst into flames and burn things down, so he respected it. He went out on trouble and worked in storms and fire. He was a union man and proud of it. He loved the physical and mental challenges of the work and the men he worked with were his brothers. He loved the irreverent jokes, the pranks, and improperness of the break room. He did not love sensitivity training.

Sid was brilliant and curious. He could figure out any problem and fix absolutely anything. He was famous for that. He was meticulous, and careful as he worked. Everything he built or repaired was done properly, with care and precision. He loved working at the shop with his favorite brother, Dan. Together they passed many an hour working on cars and solving the world’s problems. They were true brothers and better friends.

He loved simple things: snowy rocks in a river, crisp sheets, the sound of a train whistle and children laughing, a dog at his feet, and birds in the bird bath. He loved when the grandbabies came. He enjoyed a good snack and he loved sharing them. He was humble, he was kind. He loved all animals. He made his own jerky and cooked a mean pot of chili.

Sid met Sherry Hogg, and married her in 2014, after a mere 14 years of dating. He didn’t want to rush into anything. He was a wonderful “bonus dad” for her four children and they loved him very much. Sid and Sherry were the perfect couple. They loved to spend their evenings watching television and talking about how wonderful their dogs were. They saw no reason to leave the house. When Covid hit, they hardly noticed. When Sid started having heart troubles and they were told they’d have to travel less and stay home more, they said, “We already do that.” He told her she was beautiful even when she wasn’t, and she told him he was an idiot (he loved it). She fixed his pork chops the way his mama did, and he let her train him to clean up after himself. He made up songs for her and sang them around the house and he’d stop her as they passed in the hallway for a hug, so she could scratch his back. They forgave each other for not being perfect. They were each other’s favorite person, steady love, and true companion for 24 years, so when she came home Friday evening and found him gone, her heart shattered into a million pieces.

Sid is survived by his wife, Sherry; brother, Dan Wallwork; son, Quentin Wallwork; daughters, Jessica Elledge (Dustin), Brianne Wallwork; step kids, Jackson Hogg, Jonah Hogg, Annie Hogg and Boone Hogg and two beautiful grandbabies, Legend James and Halyn. He was preceded in death by his parents, and beloved brother Casey.

I will see you again, my love. Tell the doggies hi for me.

Condolences may be shared at: www.lindquistmortuary.com.