Richard Keith Timothy Scott of Mapleton Utah died on January 28, 2019 with his beloved Janice, wife of 50 years, by his side. He lived valiantly with painful, aggressive cancer for the last 2 years of his life, doing everything he could to enjoy family time.
Rick was born in the Spring of 1946 in Bingham Canyon, Utah. He left such a mark that they tore down the town and built a monument to him (Bingham Canyon copper mine). He was lovingly raised by parents Faye Cowdell and Rulon Scott, and Keith Timothy. Much of his teen years were spent on a horse roaming the hills of Keysville, California near Lake Isabella. His parents raised boys taking in many foster brothers some of who remain very dear to him. He played sports in high school which sparked a love of athletics that carried with him until very late in life. He enjoyed playing basketball, baseball/softball, water skiing, racquetball, cycling, running, and even ping pong (required for Seminary teachers). When he stopped playing sports he enjoyed watching his children and grandchildren play. The only time he didn’t enjoy sports was when grandma’s yelling got embarrassing and he had to move and sit somewhere else.
Rick graduated from Kern River Valley High School, served a full time mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Auckland New Zealand and then continued his collegiate education at BYU in Provo. It was there that he met and became engaged to his beautiful sweetheart, Janice Rands of Glendora California. Because she knew all about his family’s historical cabin up in the California mountains AND she could water ski AND look great in the legendary black bathing suit, he fell head over heels in love. Janice was attracted to his spiritual strength and charming personality. So we all know that means he was a sweet spirit. They were married in the Los Angeles Temple in the summer of 1968.
Rick earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Brigham Young University(Geography), and 2 Master’s degrees from University of Idaho (Masters of Education), and Arizona State University(Masters of Counseling) respectively. However he would say that his proudest achievement, without a doubt, would be his 13 children and their families. He is survived by Rick and Heather Scott of Warrenton VA, Beckie and Thayne Carlisle of Syracuse Utah, Tricia and Larry Mower of St George Utah, Shirlene and Jayson Albee of Manti Utah, Jared and Candice Scott of Rigby Idaho, Mark and Melissa Scott of Los Alamos New Mexico, Cameron and Rachel Scott of South Jordan Utah, Jon and Jenalee Scott of Spanish Fork Utah, Janeen Scott of Spanish Fork Utah, Shalese Scott and Ben Powell of Springville Utah, Jessica Scott of Lehi Utah, Jenny and Spencer Foutz of Henderson Nevada, and Dalton Scott of Las Vegas Nevada. He is the very proud grandpa to 45 grandchildren and great grandpa to 4 and a half great grandchildren. He always said “you don’t raise your children , they raise you”. Boy did these kids do a great job raising their dad!
He is also survived by several siblings; Carol Scott Giffen (Dale), Joan Scott Roberts(Jim), Debbie Timothy Redman, Brian Timothy. He is preceded in death by his parents, parents in law, a sister and a brother. The reunions on the other side must be especially sweet!
Rick was a proud military service member. He joined the military while in college and went directly to flight school upon graduation from BYU. He served in the Navy as a helicopter pilot and then an ROTC instructor in Pensacola Florida, San Diego California, and Moscow Idaho. After serving for 8 years full time he served another few in the Naval Reserves and ended his career with the rank of Lt Commander. He then went to work for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in the Seminary and Institute Dept of the Church Education System where he did his life’s work for 32 years. He touched the lives of seminary students in the Mesa/Tempe area, Snowflake AZ, Spanish Fork UT , and finally the young adult people at the Utah Valley University Institute. He had a few hobbies that brought him great enjoyment: sports, camping, hunting, photography, writing, temple work, DI shopping, but none of them can even compare to his greatest calling in life, the job that he continued to do even after he retired, studying and teaching the gospel. He never stopped studying the gospel. Although in the end he also never quit going to the DI either (Deseret Industries) Everyone in the family received a “great find” or 2 from the DI. Some of those may have gone directly back to the DI but that’s ok, it’s a great cause.
He felt very fortunate and blessed to have been able to serve a mission with his wife in the West Virginia Mission at Southern Virginia University. They taught for 2 semesters at the Institute of SVU and happily labored by spending time with the students, supporting student athletes at games, organizing social events and once again teaching the gospel to the young people of the church. He loved it. He also loved serving as a temple ordinance worker at the Provo and Payson temples. Church service was his pleasure. He strove his whole life to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. It was the title he valued the most.
His church service also included Scoutmaster, Stake High Councilor, Stake Presidency member, Bishop, Family History worker, but far and away his favorite calling was that of teacher. In recent years he was teaching the 9-10 year old boys and he even loved that!
We will miss his wry sense of humor. We will miss his inappropriate jokes. We will miss his amazing gospel knowledge. We will miss his love of nature. We will miss his love for our mother. We will miss watching him grow kinder and kinder with each passing year. He was a natural leader. He was a tease. He was 100% committed to his testimony of Jesus Christ and his knowledge of Heavenly Father’s plan of Happiness. We know where he is, he is in the arms of those who love him, he is at peace, he will continue to do the work of His Father.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 2, 2019 in the LDS Meetinghouse located at 475 North 1600 West, Mapleton, Utah. A visitation will be held on Friday, February 1, 2019 from 6-8:00 p.m. at the same building and from 9:30-10:30 a.m. prior to the service on Saturday.
Interment will be held in the Mapleton Cemetery.
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