Obituaries
Homer Scott Jr.
Published
1 year agoon
Homer “Scotty” Scott passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family, at the age of 88.
Scotty was born on February 10, 1935, in Omaha, Nebraska, the second of five children, to Homer and Mildred Scott. Soon after, the family moved to Wyoming, where Scotty spent his childhood and most of his adult life. Scotty’s early years were spent at his family’s Padlock Ranch, in Dayton, Wyoming. Later his family moved to Sheridan, where he developed an affinity for sports and music. One of his favorite high school pastimes was to do guest vocals for Rody Rotellini’s band at the Ritz Sporting Goods store, where he cultivated his love for singing and entertaining. Claiming athletics were the only valid excuse to avoid mending fences at the Padlock, Scotty played baseball, basketball, and football. Football became his greatest passion. Under the mentorship of his coach, Carl Rollins (who assigned Scotty #42), he scored 42 touchdowns, and during his final game put up 42 points to help The Broncs secure the State Championship, as well as earn Scotty All-American Honors. For the rest of his days, 42 became his lucky number.
Scotty went to the University of Colorado on a football scholarship, where he met and married Janet Diebold, a beautiful coed from Minneapolis, and as he referred to her, “the prettiest girl on campus.” During his seven years at CU, he obtained three degrees: business administration, civil engineering, and “monkey business.” After college, Scotty put his Engineering degree to work for Peter Kiewit and Sons Construction Company. Janet moved the family 21 times in 14 years, following each successful project bid Scotty secured. He took great pride in representing the Kiewit culture and finished his Kiewit Career as the District Manager, a post previously held by his father, Homer Sr. When Scotty was offered a “corporate leadership role” in Omaha with PKS, Janet strongly encouraged him to keep the family in Sheridan. He agreed. The two settled into the community where they raised their children.
He went on to become the Chairman of the Board for First Interstate BancSystems, Inc., leading the team for 25 years, where he humbly referred to himself as the bank’s “Athletic Director.” In 2003, Scotty was given the honor of Director Emeritus by First Interstate BancSystems, and for the rest of his life, he continued to enjoy working with family and building camaraderie with bank personnel, customers, and board members. During this time, he was simultaneously developing new business ventures in the Sheridan community, namely the Sugarland Commercial District including Sugarland Apartments, Perkins Restaurant, Holiday Inn Convention Center, Candlewood Suites, and Martinizing Dry Cleaning.
Scotty would be the first to tell you he wasn’t “all business,” and he had a soft spot for Sheridan youth athletics and well-being. As a Trustee for the Homer and Mildred Scott Foundation, he supported a variety of sports facilities and physical fitness programming in Sheridan County and the state of Wyoming. Every year he scribed the “Player of the Year” story in the Sheridan Press, where he boasted of the local athletes and their talents by writing with his own style and humor and giving each competitor a unique and endearing nickname. This was Scotty’s way of giving back to the kids that brought him so much joy. Scotty’s love for sports extended from the Sheridan Broncs, BH Rams, TR Eagles, Wyoming Cowboys, and CU Buffs to the Denver Broncos. Later he founded the Sheridan Stadium Foundation and the Homer and Janet Scott Family Foundation to perpetuate his passion into the future.
Scotty’s final project was The Powder Horn Golf Club, which he started building in 1994. This was the perfect culmination of his lifelong engineering, business, and golf skills. The Powder Horn also offered him a project from which he could “never retire,” as he consistently expanded the golf course and its infrastructure. Thirty years later, The Powder Horn has become a thriving community, encompassing 27 holes of golf, approximately 1,000 fantastic residents and members, countless visitors, wonderful employees, recreational facilities, and a lovely clubhouse. The Powder Horn will always be Scotty, Janet, and their family’s true love and legacy.
Scotty’s dedication and loyalty to both the community and his family were some of his greatest attributes. He was truly grateful for all his employees and colleagues who became more like friends and family to him. Always enjoying inclusion and festivity, Scotty’s adult life was a continuous effort to demonstrate the entertaining skills he acquired at the Ritz so many years before. Whether he was hosting “Nashville Night” at his residence, or the first to sign up for the karaoke contest, there was hardly a microphone he wasn’t holding, and there was never an occasion that didn’t prompt him to make a carefully curated speech and “Cheers.” He and Janet shared 67 years of marriage full of celebration as they watched and participated in the accomplishments of their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Their love story was one for the history books; with Janet beside him to encourage and support him, he felt invincible. As Scotty described her, “She is the glue and fiber that has kept me reasonably sane all these years, I owe her undying love and admiration.”
Scotty was preceded in death by his parents, Homer and Mildred Scott, his brothers, Dan Scott and Tom Scott, and his daughter, Susan Scott Baker.
Scotty is survived by his wife, Janet Scott, his sister, Susan Heyneman, and brother, Jim Scott, his children, Sandy Scott Suzor, James Scott (Desiree), Homer R. Scott, his grandchildren, Sarah Suzor, Sam Suzor, Brekken Baker, Baylee Baker (Brittney), Blake Baker, Blayne Baker, Bridger Baker, James Scott, Ryder Scott, Nora Scott, Benjamin Scott, Violet Scott, and his great-grandchildren, Niko McLaughlin and Ledger Smith, as well as numerous nephews and nieces.
A celebration of life with an open house for Scotty Scott will be held at The Powder Horn Club House on Thursday, October 26, 2023, from 5pm ~ 8pm. At 6:00 pm there will be a service officiated by Reverend Kevin Jones.
Livestream Link to View Scotty’s Celebration Of Life https://boxcast.tv/view/homer-scotty-scott-jr–celebration-of-life-wohtozq1cbdfa3jxslrw
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Sheridan High School Booster Club (501C3#83-0296749) for the future Multi-use Community Center adjacent to the high school mailed to 1056 Long Drive, Sheridan, WY 82801.
Online condolences may be written at www.kanefuneral.com. Kane Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.
Chuck and Sheryll Shaffer Seagrave
October 4, 2023 at 6:36 am
Chuck and I send our deepest sympathy to the family. We will miss the conversations about college football and the Broncos over coffee.
SANDRA METZGER BENTH
October 4, 2023 at 1:31 pm
Jim im sorry for the loss of your dad. I just talked to them several months ago at Perkins and he seemed good. Prayers are with dyou and your family Sandy Metzger Benth
Keith Francik
October 4, 2023 at 2:00 pm
All of us at the Wyoming Coaches’ Hall of Fame are saddened by Homer’s passing. He has been a great friend to all coaches and especially the Hall of Fame Board. Our deepest sympathies go out to his family and we hope that you can be comforted by knowing that his legacy will live on in our organization.
Keith Francik
Wyoming Coaches’ Hall of Fame President
Marc W Davis DVM
October 4, 2023 at 3:55 pm
I was saddened to hear of Mr. Scott’s passing. My condolences to his family. I remember on occasion as a “kid” growing up in Sheridan playing racquetball and handball with him at the YMCA as well as a few holes of golf at times. Often times small gestures like these go unnoticed but I certainly remember them. I will always be grateful. Rest in peace.
Rory
October 4, 2023 at 6:04 pm
You did so much for our community and always had our students interests in your heart. Thank you for your generosity and all you have done. You will be dearly missed.
Paul murray
October 4, 2023 at 6:40 pm
So Sorry to hear this. My son really enjoyed knowing him. Rest in peace.
Robin ziler
October 4, 2023 at 10:16 pm
its odd i was in Sheridan a month ago drove by his homes on scott drive i was wondering how he was doing..sad to see his passing
Robbin mcvay
October 4, 2023 at 11:05 pm
I remember seeing him at the bank where my dad ended up working for him as his mail man after he had retired from the post office he was always good to my dad Bob mcvay prayers for you all. Robbin McVay
Mike McLaughlin
October 5, 2023 at 1:22 pm
A great Man……..The Godfather of Bronc Football. Will be missed by many. God Bless.
Rick Smith
October 5, 2023 at 4:16 pm
I am so sorry and saddened by this! I really looked up to and admired him! What a legacy he leaves this community! He will be so missed by many! My prayers are with the family for comfort and peace. Until we see him again
Daniel Diefenderfer
October 5, 2023 at 8:09 pm
Scotty will be missed, He did so much for our community and sheridan High school, Normative services by buying that pert My Father Know him very well, I enjoyed talking to him at Perkins. Rest in Peace Sir, God Bless you and your family wife etc.
Brian Marso
October 5, 2023 at 9:53 pm
One of the best human beings I have ever had the pleasure to come across. God didn’t make them any better than Scotty. You will be missed.
Deanna
October 6, 2023 at 7:35 pm
My condolences for his family. I have known Scotty most my life and even got to work for him. What a great man that worked hard and really did a lot for our community. Mr Scott you will be missed.
Richard Wright
October 6, 2023 at 8:09 pm
So sorry for your loss. Scotty established the Little Guy Football Program and many other programs and facilities while serving on the Sheridan Recreation District Board of Directors. His generous donations and support to the community will be sorely missed. His list of accomplishments are too long to list. Rest in Peace.
Ron jacobson
October 7, 2023 at 10:30 am
I knew Scotty as a member of the high school class of 1953 . he was a leader then and pursued that trait in life May the lord look over his family /
Rollie zempel
October 10, 2023 at 3:56 pm
A super nice person, he and his family did great wonderful things for Sheridan. Mr Scotty will be truely missed , he was great.
Linda Luoma
October 16, 2023 at 9:02 pm
My heart goes out to all the Scott family & friends for this great loss. I worked at First Interstate Bank in Sheridan. I always enjoyed getting called to Scotty’s office. Everyone thought I was in trouble but nope, he just liked how honest & straight forward I was. He was the kindest man!
Dick and Cathie Schuster
November 12, 2023 at 1:45 pm
My wife and I always enjoyed seeing him and his wife, all four of us always seem to arrive at the same time, to the Perkins business meetings, He certainly was quite a leader and many things.
Aleksi Kinnunen
June 26, 2024 at 12:32 am
My father, S. Harts, knew Scotty well. May be rest in peace. Kcroat, as we say in my native tongue.