Obituary of Sidney Edward Cook

Sidney Edward “Sid” Cook, [76], of Mallory, was called upon by God to enter the Kingdom of Heaven on Sunday, January 22, 2023, after a long illness. It was only after God the Father saw that he had grown tired and weary that God spoke to him, telling him that his work on Earth was done and for him to go forth and claim his reward, that he peacefully departed this life at approximately 3:48 A.M. His Earthly journey ended at CAMC – Memorial Hospital in Charleston, WV while being surrounded by his loving family. He was born on June 21, 1946, in Mahan, WV, the son of the late Joseph Wellington and Dorothy Marie (Spears) Cook. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by all three of his siblings, one sister, Elaine Brooks; and two brothers, Joseph W. Cook II and Charles “Chuck” Cook. Sidney “Sid” was a 1964 graduate of Oceana High School where he excelled in multiple athletics, with football being his favorite. Shortly after graduating high school, he enlisted with the United States Army and served the Country in which he truly loved from 1964 until 1974, during those 10 years, he was stationed throughout various parts of the U.S., and Germany and was a Veteran of the Vietnam War. Throughout his Military career, he ranked out as an E6 Staff Sergeant with the U.S. Army and was awarded the Bronze Star along with many more decorations, medals, badges, and commendations for his service. Once his military career was complete, he came home and worked for the Oceana Police Department for a short time before switching to the construction and mining industry for many years. He was also a very active member of the UMWA during that time as well. Later in life, after several accidents and injuries pushed him into changing professions, he worked maintenance at Man ARH before it closed its doors. Then for a short time, he worked with the Charleston Gazette Newspaper. Before becoming disabled due to extensive heart problems, “Sid” was very active throughout the state as both a referee in basketball and an umpire in baseball for all age divisions from Buddy League and Little League through High School sports during which time he was on the Tug Valley officiating board. Once he became disabled and could no longer referee or umpire (two things he really had a passion for and enjoyed doing), he switched gears and picked up numerous hobbies, he became avidly involved in tracing back his family genealogy and spent several years researching that along with several other cases that involved quite a bit of investigative journalism. He also took up coin collecting later in life as well and really enjoyed going through and finding rare and error coins. “Sid” was a devoted Christian and was a member of the Mallory Church of God, where he sang for many years with his wife in the Church choir up until the last few months of his life when he had gotten too ill to attend. “Sid” was one of a kind and was well known by many for his quick wit and his funny personality, he was always very outgoing, and you could guarantee he would always have a joke or a story on hand ready to brighten your day if he felt that you needed it. He was an amazing man with a huge heart, the irony is, that what appeared to be the most overworked and most damaged thing medically was his heart. It had been shocked back multiple times over the years, had been through multiple surgeries, his heart was tired, weak and per doctors, it was barely working, but in all actuality, it was his strongest, biggest and most beautiful thing about him, he had a heart of pure gold full of so much love and life to give to those he loved, he never met a stranger because he genuinely cared for others and would always be willing to help anyone that he thought needed a helping hand, even at times that he may not have been in a position to help he never thought twice and would always find a way because he truly cared about others, his family and friends meant the world to him. Especially his family, they were everything to him, and he never shied away from showing the love he had for them. He loved family gatherings, storytelling, sharing laughs, sitting on the porch with his wife talking about the years gone by, and working around the yard with her when he was able. He always looked forward to anytime his sons would come by so he could set and reminisce with them and swap stories for hours. And for the last seven years of his life, he lived for every moment that he could spend with his granddaughter, the light of his life. Those two had a very special bond with each other, she loved pranking her Poppy, and he seemed to fall for her tricks every time. He was an amazing husband, father, and Poppy, along with being a great friend to a lot of people. Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 45 years, Parthena (Gibson) Cook of Mallory; son, Zachary Scott “Zach” Cook of Mallory; son, Jason Tyler (Amber) Cook of Davin; granddaughter, Ariya Rachelle Cook “Poppy’s Pooh Bear” also of Davin. He is also survived by his daughter, Shari Lynn Cook of Oceana; and son, Shawn David (Michele) Cook, also of Oceana; along with a host of other relatives, church family, and friends. A Celebration of Life Service will begin at 1:00 P.M. on Thursday, January 26, 2023, at the Mallory Church of God with Bishop Shaun Walker officiating. Burial will follow in Forest Lawn Cemetery at Pecks Mill, where the Wyoming County Veterans Honor Guard will conduct Military graveside rites. Visitation will be held prior to services on Thursday from 11:00 A.M. until 1:00 P.M., also at the church. Family and friends will serve as pallbearers. Online condolences may be sent to www.krantzmcneelyfuneralhome.com Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Krantz-McNeely Funeral Home at Man, WV.