Samuel Wade Wardrop

Samuel Wade Wardrop went to be with Jesus, our Resurrected Lord and Savior, on Thursday, September

15. A celebration of his eternal life will be held on Saturday, October 1, 11:00 AM, at God’s Place, 3717

Grant Avenue, Ogden, Utah.

Samuel was born on April 17, 2019, with a rare genetic disorder, Trisomy 18. Against the odds, he lived

for nearly three and a half years. He drew attention in the medical community to the greater potential

of children born with such a diagnosis. Sammy was full of joy; he absolutely loved his life and everyone

who shared in it with him.

Samuel underwent open heart surgery, full repair at the tender age of ten weeks old, performed by

renowned surgeon, James M. Hammel, at Omaha Children’s Hospital, Nebraska. Sam was amongst a

very small group of rare Trisomy babies in the nation to successfully receive this life-saving intervention.

Samuel became ill with Covid 19 in August, was hospitalized for three weeks, enjoyed a healthy respite

at home for one week, then returned to the hospital suddenly and severely ill with the lingering disease,

complications of treatment, and a secondary infection. His final battle ended several weeks later with

his family by his side.

This little boy’s achievements have touched the hearts of family and friends, also impacting the lives of

many professionals in the medical field, especially those who compassionately treated him at Primary

Children’s Hospital, Salt Lake City. Sam’s many victories have proven the need to rewrite the narrative

and interventional protocols for the treatment of Trisomy 18 children. By extension, his life

demonstrates the need for a greater commitment to all rare Trisomy persons and all special needs

children, as together we make an even greater commitment to the sanctity of all human life. Oh, how

precious these children are!

Samuel was cherished and greatly loved by his immediate family, Melissa (Updyke) Wardrop, mother,

Scott Wardrop, father, Evalynn, sister, and Caleb, brother. The family wishes to express their deepest

appreciation for all the generous acts of assistance and expressions of sympathy received. They reside in

Syracuse, Utah.

Samuel is preceded in death by his, paternal grandfather, Wade Wardrop, and survived by his

grandmother, Vicki Wardrop, of Saint George, Utah, as well as his aunt and uncle, Tracy (Wardrop) and

Kraig Crumpton.

On the maternal side of his family, he is preceded in death by his maternal grandmother, (Cathy Powell-

Updyke) Gardner. Sam is survived by his grandfather, Alan Updyke, and grandmother, Donna Updyke,

and their son, Zachary, of Mountain Top, Pennsylvania; and many uncles and aunts.

In lieu of flowers, donations to a charity established by one of Sam’s doctors and most ardent advocates,

Dr. John Carey, will be greatly appreciated. Donations to S.O.F.T. made in celebration and honor of

Sam’s life are accepted at https://trisomy.org/donations-to-soft/