Charles Henry Scott

Charles “Chuck” Henry Scott passed away peacefully in his sleep early Saturday morning, May 30, in Sandpoint, Idaho.  In the days immediately preceding his passing he received loving phone calls from most of his family; children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, sister and friends.

He was born on July 3, 1930, in Sharon, Pennsylvania, to parents Donald Cameron Scott and Bernice Higgins Scott.  He joined an older sister, and later there was a younger brother.  Chuck lost his father when he was six years old.  His mother worked to support her young family and give them a secure happy childhood, helped by her mother, their beloved “Gram” Higgins.   Chuck grew up in a closely-knit neighborhood and he was still in touch with many of his childhood friends and school-mates.  He graduated from Sharon High School 1948 and Draughan’s Business School in Nashville, TN 1949. 

He worked in Tennessee for two years and then served four years in the U.S. Air Force.  He was stationed for one year at Thule, Greenland, and the remaining years in Texas and Tennessee.  After his service he attended Vanderbilt College in Nashville, graduating in 1959.  Following that, he worked for Hartford Insurance as an accountant in Atlanta, Georgia, and later at General Motors as a programmer.  It was there that he met and married Shirley Sutton in 1962.  They divorced in 1990.   He was later transferred to Detroit, Michigan, where their son, Gregory Cameron Scott was born in 1966. They soon moved to California where he worked for TRW in Redondo Beach and then as a systems programming manager for Hunt-Wesson Foods, in Fullerton, California, until his retirement in 1994. While working at Hunt-Wesson, he made wonderful friends, many of whom he continued to be in contact with for the remainder of his life.  After retirement, he served as a substitute teacher for several years at Sahuarita High School and Continental School in Green Valley, Arizona. 

Immediately after retirement, he moved to Michigan City, Indiana, to be near his son, Greg, and family, and became an intricate part of their life helping to care for his first grandchild, Nicholas.  In 1997 he moved to Green Valley, Arizona, to make a life with Jean Babcock, with whom he had worked for many years at Hunt-Wesson. He and Jean moved to Sandpoint, Idaho, in 2009, to be close to Jean’s daughter and family. Chuck and Jean spent 22 years enjoying traveling, volunteering and being together.  They had lots of adventures, including trips to Europe, Turkey, Russia, Mexico, El Salvador, Alaska, and Hawaii.

Chuck was always ready to help others and he loved the missions he and Jean went on with Eye Care International to El Salvador.  They made five trips together with that group and made many more life-long friends.   They took some of their grandchildren on some of these trips to introduce them to compassionate volunteer work and to learn about other countries and ways of life.

Chuck really enjoyed volunteering wherever he was.  He served as a Junior Achievement advisor at Hunt-Wesson Foods, he was treasurer for the Green Valley Community Church Foundation and served on the church Finance Committee.  He was a teacher and treasurer for their Vacation Bible School. One of the most meaningful things he did was serve on the Foster Care Review Board for the State of Arizona for six years where he spent countless hours helping to and hoping to better the lives of the children he served.  Chuck also volunteered for Habitat for Humanity, the Green Valley Food Bank and the Community Meal in Sandpoint.   He was always fond of young people and tried to help them in many ways. He served as a board member for Amparo Youth Shelter in Anaheim, California, and served as a local friend to several International students at the U of A in Tucson. He enjoyed learning from them and helping them integrate into American life.

 He was a member of the Elks in Green Valley, Arizona, and a member of the Sandpoint Presbyterian Church.  In 2015, Chuck was thrilled to go to Washington D.C., participating in the Inland Northwest Honor Flight, honoring veterans.  He was accompanied on this trip by grandson, Jason Macek.

Chuck was a loving, kind and generous man. His hands were always cold, but his heart was warm and true.  He had a bright spirit and a great sense of humor and was always willing to pitch in to help wherever needed.   He loved to play cards and spend time with his family. Chuck was a beloved member of Jean’s family; his step-children and grandchildren loved him as their own. 

He was predeceased by his parents and brothers, Donald Scott, Jr. and Clifford Scott.  He is survived by his son Gregory (Dianne) Scott of Michigan City, Indiana, his grandchildren Nicholas and Lydia Scott of Michigan City, his sister, Eldora (Harry) Pierce of Stockbridge Georgia, his beloved companion, Jean Babcock of Sandpoint, Idaho, Jean’s family:  daughters Lou (Terence) MacAfee of Dover, Idaho, and Debbie (Jim) Barnes of Minden, Nevada, grandchildren Jason (Janell) Macek of Hayden, Idaho, Katie (Mike) Johnston  of Auburn, California, and Michael (Winter) Barnes of Reno, Nevada, as well as  great-grandsons, Xander Macek and Liam Johnston  and a great-granddaughter, Hudson Barnes.  He is also survived by loving nieces, Arlene Gober of Stockbridge, Georgia, and Geri Morrow of Palm Beach, Florida, and many other nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life will be held in Sandpoint later this summer, whenever loved ones can gather together.  Remembrances can be sent to www.eyecareint.org, Smile Train or Bonner Community Food Bank in Sandpoint.