Don B. Scott

Don B. Scott passed away peacefully at his home near Gatesville on Saturday evening, October 1, 2011 at the age of 80. Visitation will be at Scott’s Funeral Home from 5-7pm. on Tuesday, Oct 4. Graveside services will be at 10a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 5 at the Scott Family Lot in the Gatesville City Cemetery where a Masonic and a Military service will be conducted. Scott’s Funeral Home will be in charge of the services. Don Baker Scott was born on Lutterloh Street in Gatesville, Texas, on November 30, 1930. He was delivered into this world by Dr. Ralph Bailey and by mid-wife, Mary Brooks. He was the second son of the late I.O. Scott and Gladys Baker Scott. Don attended grade school in Shallowater, Texas, where he lived with his mother and with his maternal grandparents, Levi Elliott Baker and Margaret Davis Baker. Around 1942, he moved with his mother and his elder brother to Hobbs, New Mexico, where he finished his primary schooling and graduated from Hobbs High School in 1948. His interests in high school included being a member of the football team and the boxing team. While in high school, he became an avid motorcyclist and was known for a few humorous and daring cycling stunts around his hometown. He later attended the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque where he pursued a pharmacy degree. Later, he changed his major to Business and attended Odessa Junior College, Texas Tech University, and Eastern New Mexico University in Portales. Since early childhood, Don had an intense interest in aviation and planes. So, in 1945, at the age of 14, he began to take flying lessons from his uncle, Irvin Scott, who was a pilot and the owner of “Scott Field,” an early day air field in Gatesville. He would continue his flying lessons until 1948 when he received his pilot’s license. On January 15, 1951, he joined the United States Air Force and was soon promoted to Staff Sergeant and later served with the 808th Air Police Squadron in the Security Division. He was sent on special confidential assignments to Sidi Slimane AFB, French Morocco, North Africa; Misawa AFB, Honshu Island, Japan, and finally, Camp Chitose, Chitose, Japan. After having served his country with honor and respect, and being awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Don received an honorable discharge on January 14, 1955. In the latter part of 1955, he moved to Chicago, Illinois where he attended Coyne Radio and Television School. While a student, he was employed with the United States Post Office in Chicago. He graduated from Coyne’s on December 9, 1955, and shortly afterwards moved to Waco, Texas, where he established a television business, known as “Scott’s TV.” In 1957, at the request of his mother and step-father, he moved back to Hobbs, New Mexico, where he began working in the family-owned oil well servicing business. He was promoted to president of the company in the late 1970’s and served in that capacity until his retirement in 1989. He was married on January 15, 1960, in Carlsbad, New Mexico, to Dolores Jean Maxey. Both were residents of Hobbs since childhood and for the majority of their married life. In 1960, Don joined Masonic Lodge #63 in Hobbs, New Mexico. He became more active in the Masonic organization following his retirement and would later become a Master Mason. In September of 2010, he was honored for his years of service and presented with his 50-year pin at Gatesville Lodge No. 197, AF & AM. Don was recognized as a very accomplished golfer in New Mexico, and participated in numerous golf tournaments throughout southeastern New Mexico and portions of west Texas. Golf was a major interest in his life until his eyesight began to fail in the late 1980’s. Following his retirement, Don and his wife moved back to Gatesville, Texas to the family ranch first owned by his paternal grandparents, Winfield H. Scott and Dorcas Irvin Scott. There he enjoyed his retirement by ranching and farming. Don was very proud of his roots in Coryell County, Texas. His great-grandfather, Francis Marion Scott, settled in the Eagle Springs community of southeastern Coryell County in 1875 – very near the parents of Governor Pat M. Neff. Six generations of the Scott family have lived in Coryell County. Don never met a stranger. He had a very outgoing and distinct personality and was always ready to lend a helping hand. He loved life, his family, his dogs, the family farm, and most of all, his grandson, Alexander. He was preceded in death by his parents, I.O. Scott and Gladys Johnson, his brother, Irvin Kent Scott, his step-father, Ralph E. Johnson, his step-mother, Gwendolyn Scott, his nephew, Christopher Kent Scott, and by one cousin, Beth Walker Stradley. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Dolores Scott; two sons, Steven Scott of Albuquerque, New Mexico; David L. Scott, and wife Laura, of Gatesville; and one grandson, his pride and joy, Alexander Donovan Lee Scott, of Gatesville. He is also survived by sisters, Teri Sharp, of Round Rock; Marguerite Stoltz, of Midland, Texas; a brother, Garry Scott, of Marble Falls; a sister-in-law, Wanda Perry, of Tucson, Arizona; two first cousins, Tonya Scott Mauldin, of Anaheim Hills, California, and Gloria Scott De Groot, of Austin; and by several nieces and nephews. He is also survived by special and caring friends, Jennifer Frier, Sandra Lane, Janis Daschofsky, Tina Barron, Rebecca Monk, Dorothy Lambard, and by Yvonne Rochelle, who always brightened his day. He would want it mentioned that he was very appreciative of his “special boys” who helped him over the years with his farming and ranching: Clint Matlock, Barton Johnson, Blake Johnson, Clinton Clary, and Thomas Frier. Special words of appreciation are directed to his local physicians, Dr. J.D. Sheffield, Dr. Jeffrey Bates, and to his specialists, Dr. Richard Beckendorf and Dr. Debbie Waters for the excellent care they provided Don during his last illness. Appreciation is also directed to Kevin George and the staff of Gatesville Drug who were always there to lend a helping hand. Vista Care Hospice will always be remembered and appreciated for their kindness and words of encouragement during his last few weeks. Those very special nurses and staff members who cared for Don and assisted the family were: Penny Nielsen, Renee Tillman, Lisa Jones, Candi Jimenez, Steve Theriault, Diana Paddie, Gary Baxley, Sheila Roedler, and Sharon Watts. Memorials may be made to the restoration fund of the Historic Eagle Springs Baptist Church, c/o P.O. Box 90, Gatesville, Texas 76528; or to the Shriners Hospital for Children, c/o Karem Shrine, 400 Karem Circle, Waco, Texas 76712.