John L. Scott, 68, passed from this world, Thursday, February 5, 2015. He didn’t leave easily, saying until his last breath, “I’m not ready to go. John had his plan, his Lord had another.
Scott fought an uphill battle for the past eight years, defeating infirmities that would have taken most men long ago.
He was born in Birmingham, Alabama, September 4, 1946, the son of Forrest and Myrtle (Hollis) Scott. He attended Sidney Lanier High School in Montgomery, Alabama, where he obtained some repute on the baseball and football fields.
He gained admission to Georgia Tech and upon graduating entered the University of Georgia as a law student. With a degree in hand, he opened a law office in Branford, Florida. He retired in 2000 and moved to Gainesville in 2002. He had an unusual career, marked with difficult cases. He also was the attorney for the City of Branford and was a member of the Rotary Club. He was also a dedicated FSU fan.
Scott was dedicated to civil freedoms and marched to Selma with Martin Luther King, although later admitting he walked only the last 100 yards.
Loving outdoors activity, his communes with the wild were legend, harvesting quail, dove, ducks, geese, while patrolling the salt water for trout, red fish and grouper. His boon companions, hunting dogs, departed many years ago to the canine kingdom. Remaining behind is Bullet, his steadfast German Shepherd.
He knew that 1,000 roads lead to the wilderness but only one road leads home…taking that highway last week.
Marlo Scott, his wife lives in Gainesville, along with stepsons, James, Avery and Alec Bachman. His daughter, Sarah Elizabeth Johnson (Derek) and her daughters, Isabel Sophia and Stella Beck reside in Jacksonville Beach. Preceding his death was his sister, Susan Harper and her husband, Curtis. Their two children, Scott (Anna) Harper and Hollis (David) Wooley currently reside in Gainesville.
John also wanted to pay special tribute to his caregivers, Catherine and Norris Jenkins, employees who became loving friends.
Services will be held at 11:00 am Thursday, February 12 at Forest Meadows “Chapel in the Meadows”, 4100 NW 39th Avenue, Gainesville, FL 32606 with Reverend Aaron Rousseau of Trinity United Methodist Church officiating. Graveside burial will follow. In lieu of flowers, donations should be forwarded to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
John was a very interesting and bright man. He never hesitated to share his many stories and beliefs. He was very outspoken and knowlegible, and boy did he love those Noles! That was the topic of many debate between us. I remember fondly one FSU/Gator game in particular couple years back that we watched in his living room. I jumped and yelled the whole time hoping the Gators would win and somehow ended up loosing one of my Gator earrings. Marlo was never able to find it. I always thought maybe Bullet found it and buried it out back. Bullet was there watching the game with us the whole time, waging his tail and vying for a pet here and there (and some chips and salsa). John loved Bullet and I can sure tell Bullet is missing John. Life goes on, but I will always have fond memories of John Scott.
With many loving thoughts and prayers to Marlo and Sarah.
Angie
It was with great sadness that I read of John’s passing. I worked in his law office briefly from 1999 until 2001. He was a fascinating man and a true friend. I had hoped to sit with John and discuss politics, Seminole football and the War of Northern Aggression at least once more before one of us shed the coil. The world is a sadder place without him.