Sidney Leroy Spink, 72, passed away peacefully July 9 at Harney District Hospital, surrounded by his family.

He was born Sept. 21, 1947, in Portland to Richard and Ada Spink. He joined his brother, Gordon, and sisters, Arvilla and Marie.

In 1963, Sid married Vicki Amundsen, and together they had three children, Ronnie, Brian, and Lisa Spink. Sid then moved his young family to White Salmon, Wash., where he was dedicated to ranching, farming, and logging. They ultimately built their own home. Sid and Vicki remained married for 16 years.

In 1981, Sid remarried to Joan Heany. Joan also had three children, Bryan, Elisa, and Shannon Heany. Sid and Joan embraced their “Brady Bunch,” and a close relationship was formed. They relocated to Burns in 1981, where Sid continued ranching. On the side, he began to raise, train, and sell quarter horses that turned into a passion and business known as “Sid and Joan Spink Quarter Horses.” Many would drive by the ranch to view the newborn colts.

Sid then purchased what some may remember as “Trader Bills.”  He renamed it “Sid’s Swap Shop.” Whether you were looking, selling, or trading, he always had it or could find it. If you just wanted to visit, he would just sit and enjoy a cup of coffee with you.

As an entrepreneur, he wasn’t done yet. In 1990, he opened the doors of a new business, “Windmill Pizza Co.,” which operated for nearly 15 years. Many dined on homemade pizzas, soups, and French rolls. The “Cowboy Steak Pizza,” which weighed 7.5 pounds, and the “Mile High Strawberry Pie” were favorites!

Sid was characterized by his strong work ethic and was not one to be idle.  Between and during all of his business ventures, he was a long-haul owner-operator of three semi-trucks that traveled all of the U.S.

He enjoyed many hobbies, including hunting, fishing, and boating. One of his favorite interests was anything related to guns. He enjoyed shooting, reloading, collecting, and sharing this with his children and grandchildren.

Sid could operate any piece of equipment he encountered and worked for Harney Rock and Paving, and then Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) in Burns. He retired from ODOT in 2014, as he was diagnosed with an acute lung disease. However, Sid defied many of the doctors’ predictions, as many of us knew his strength and love for his family. Even to his doctor appointments, he rode his Harley with his oxygen tanks in the saddle bags.

Most of all, he was a man who loved his wife, a devoted father, and a giving and loving grandpa, who will always live on in our memories and hearts.

Sid is survived by his wife of 39 years, Joan; six children; eight grandchildren; and three siblings.

A celebration of life service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 31, at Faith Baptist Church. Contributions in his memory may be made to Harney Hospital Foundation or Saint Jude Children’s Hospital, c/o LaFollette’s Chapel, P.O. Box 488; Burns, Oregon 97720.

Psalm 73:26 — “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”