Sidney Cyrus Gold was born on April 22, 1943, in Salt Lake City, Utah to Milton O. Gold and Linnie W. Parker. He passed away on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at the age of 82 due to complications from pneumonia and a stroke in 2022.

Sid spent most of his growing up years in the little town of Granite, Utah. Sid graduated as a proud Jordan High School “Beetdigger”. He was in the band and played flute and piccolo. After high school and a year of study at the University of Utah, Sid served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Canada Toronto Mission. When he returned in 1964, he continued his studies at the university.

Thanks to a mutual friend, Sid was given Dona Nelson’s phone number to call. Sid met Dona on a blind date on January 27, 1968. They were engaged several months later and married in the Salt Lake Temple on August 26, 1968. They eventually had five children, four girls and a boy. In 1970, Sid graduated from the University of Utah with his combined bachelor’s and doctoral degrees in Electrical Engineering.

In the fall of 1970, Sid started working for Exxon (back then, Esso) in Houston, Texas. In Houston, Sid and Dona learned to love a whole new climate and culture. They had almost year-round gardening with the biggest garden in the neighborhood. Corn, peas, tomatoes, asparagus, cantaloupe, zucchini, green beans, beets, strawberries, carrots, onions, broccoli and brussel sprouts are some remembered harvests.

Sid’s fishing prowess started before he was ten years old. He started fishing with his older brothers and his father and the rest is history. The family would take Idaho vacations so that they could find the best places to fish. As an adult, that has basically been his mantra. For Sid, if you’re going on vacation, there had better be a place to fish. Camping and backpacking were only to help him get to a favorite fishing spot. In Texas he was introduced to saltwater fishing - jetty fishing and deep-sea fishing. Made for lots of fun for kids on the beach, with Dona - while he fished on the jetty. He also learned about freshwater fishing in Texas. No longer fly fishing for trout, but fishing for catfish and white bass and whatever would bite. Family memories of fishing with Sid include trips to Yellowstone, and anywhere in the mountains of Utah, Idaho and Wyoming - fly fishing. And he would take anyone who wanted to join him - he was ready to share the love of fishing with everyone. Fishing was such a love that in the late 1980s he packed up the family, and they built a house on Lake Livingston (an hour or so drive north of Houston). He could now fish in his backyard. His grandkids have many many memories of waking up early on Saturday mornings to go out with Grandpa on the boat or the pier - to go fishing. He definitely believed that “the worst day of fishing is better than the best day at work.”

Sid has always loved music. Keeping the beat was something he did instinctively as a young child. He started piano lessons at the age of nine and played until he could no longer use his hands. He played flute and piccolo, taught himself guitar, snare drum, harmonica and organ. He also loved to sing. He has lists of favorite songs from Broadway productions, soundtracks, hymns and classical music. He always encouraged that same love of music in his children and grandchildren. He and the family participated for many years with the Coldspring Community Choir and with their church choir. He also sang for many, many years with the Exxon Singers.

Sid served in many callings in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He shared his musical talents in choirs and on the piano and served as ward organist in the Cleveland Ward for many years. Much of his time was spent in callings where he ministered to the youth. He influenced so many of them by knowing their worth and in them, knowing that they were loved and had great potential. He also served as Sunday School teacher many times. He served on the stake high council as well as a bishopric counselor and Bishop. He spent many years as a temple worker in the Houston Texas Temple until his stroke in 2022. No matter where he served, he shared his love of the gospel of Jesus Christ and his love for his Savior. He was always building - whether it be bridges and decks at the lake or character.

Sid is survived by his wife, Dona, his children Alice (Gene) Hamilton, Annette (Mark) Mason, Afton (Ben) Todd, Andy (Kris) Gold, and Ashley (Jaren) Fort; 20 grandchildren and 6 (with one on the way) great-grandchildren.

He is also survived by his sister Cherry (Ed) Wolf and his brother Bry (Beth) Gold and sisters-in-law, Evon Gold and Julie Gold.

He is preceded in death by his parents and by his brothers, Dale and Steve.

The family wishes to thank the staff at the Cleveland Health Care Center for their focused care of their Dad the last several months.

A visitation for Sidney Cyrus Gold will be held on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at Neal Funeral Home, Cleveland, Texas from 11:00 AM until 1:00 PM. A funeral service will follow at 1:00 PM at the same location.