Jack Scott

Jack B. Scott (1962-2020)

If you judge a life by the love of family and friends, then Jack’s was a life well-lived.

Jack Scott, 58, passed away from Glioblastoma brain cancer on September 25, 2020 surrounded by his family.  We were so blessed to be able to care for him at home throughout his illness, until the very end.

Jack was born in Ottawa, Kansas to Keith and Sally Scott but Syracuse, Kansas was his childhood home.  It was a unique family in that his brother and sisters, Jill, Jerry, and Janie were not only siblings but also the best of friends.  Jack made many lifelong friends in Syracuse.  He and his buddies had fun dragging Main, loitering in the bowling alley parking lot, going to the movies and tanking down the river almost every weekend.  Syracuse also introduced Dad to his love of all sports, but especially to golf and poker (if you consider poker a sport), games he continued to make priorities—and even excel in—after brain surgery, chemo, and radiation!

Jack graduated from a Syracuse Bulldog to an Emporia State University Hornet in 1980. While studying for a future 35-year career in Information Technology, he met his perfect match, Lori White: she, an “Alpha Sig” sorority girl and he a “Sig Pi” frat boy. They were introduced in the sorority house kitchen where he served as a “houseboy”.  The two became an official “Apple Pi” couple at a Tahiti in the Sticks party in 1983, were inseparable thereafter, and married the following year. Jack spent the next 36 years making Lori laugh.  He would lay on the floor of the kitchen, in coat, hat and shoes, waiting for Lori to get out the door for any outing.  And there were a number of outings.  Friday night football games, countless vacations to Estes Park, college visits and road trips, car rides to country fields where Jack would hop a private property fence to snap a photo and be consequently chased by dogs… Whatever the adventure happened to be, Jack and Lori were in it together.

In 1987, Jack became a father to Kala, and two years later, to daughter number two, Amanda.  That’s a lot of estrogen in one household.  Jack, with the patience of a saint, endured endless slumber parties, chick flicks, and cheerleading routines. Every room in the house exploded with hair dryers, make-up, pom-poms, tampons, and every clothing item and accessory known to man.  He rolled with every punch—err, high kick—by not only attending every game, but also by becoming the designated Shawnee Mission North sports photographer.  The office at home was always full of black and white senior portraits and live-action touchdown posters. Jack was a constant presence and stream of support in Kala and Amanda’s lives.  He was dearly beloved by both daughters and all of their friends.

…And all of their pets.  Oh the pets, a source of almost constant torment to poor Job—I mean, Jack.  After “co-parenting” six dogs (each one more ill-behaved than the last), a handful of gerbils, a gecko, and even a third-grade-science-project-chicken, it’s a wonder Jack didn’t end up in a mental hospital.  Jack’s arch nemesis, Weasley, a portly and particularly naughty beagle, required a special amount of patience, as Jack’s shoes were often a target for Weasley’s anxiety turds during thunderstorms. The pets were at least good for providing material for Jack’s hysterical Christmas newsletter, The Scott Christmas Chronicles.  He wrote 25 consecutive issues of classic one-liners to a devoted audience of friends and family across the country.

Since Jack was a talented writer, photographer, golfer, husband, and dad, it’s no wonder that he was a natural in the role of grandpa, too. Jack became “Papa” to James in 2015, and to Rosie and Luke the following years.  He was their hero, driving a big red truck and always willing to murder a dinosaur or ten in every Jurassic Park arcade game that could be found.

There is so much more that could be said about Jack. He was such a loyal friend, dependable coworker, and kind-hearted man.  But above all else, he was a man of faith filled with the hope and love of Jesus Christ.  Even through the difficult months leading up to his passing, Jack clung to the truth that Christ was with him, strengthening, helping, and upholding him until he safely reached His kingdom.

Jack was preceded in death by his parents Keith and Sally Scott; uncles Reed Goss and Ken Scott; and niece Holly Hubbard.

He leaves behind his wife Lori; daughters Kala (Jake) Groff and Amanda Scott; grandkids James, Rosie, and Luke Groff; siblings Jill (Glenn) Hubbard, Jerry (Carmen) Scott, and Janie (Pat) Crockett; nine nieces and nephews; his aunt Pat Goss; and his cousin Shana Goss Smith.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at the Christ Community Church, 20600 W. 119th Street, Olathe, Kansas on Saturday, October 17 at 2:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations in Jack’s honor may be made to: Christ Community Church ( https://christcommunitykc.org/olathe ) or the Glioblastoma Foundation ( https://glioblastomafoundation.org ).