ROGER SCOTT

Roger Scott, age 87, of Ottawa, Kan., passed away Sunday, June 14, 2009, at the Ransom Memorial Hospital in Ottawa, Kan.

He was born July 16, 1921, to C.C. Scott and Gertrude (Hopkins) Scott in Camden County, Mo., near Linn Creek. When Roger was five years old, The Lake of the Ozark took over their farm and the family moved to a farm southwest of Pomona, Kan. He attended Pomona schools.

At the age of 19 he went to work for Sheldon’s Truck & Tractor as a mechanic.  While working there, International Harvesters formed a Battalion of Maintenance for World War II. Volunteers from 42 states joined to make up the International Harvesters Battalion. Later on the battalion became the 134th Ordnance of the 12th Armored Division. By volunteering he beat the draft by 19 days. He first went to Fort Leavenworth then to Camp Perry, Ohio, then to Camp Campbell, Kentucky, which was a brand new camp. Roger then went on maneuvers in Kentucky and Tennessee. From the Tennessee maneuvers, he headed to Camp Barkley, Texas. From there, he shipped out for overseas in September 1944. He arrived in Liverpool, England, and worked around the clock for three weeks getting equipment ready. Roger served in England, France and Germany and obtained the rank of T-3. He received the Good Conduct Medal and Coat of Arms for the Komar France Battle. Roger had some close calls during the war. Roger served from 1942-1945. He made life time friends with his Army buddies.  Helen and Roger attended many Army reunions through out the years.

On April 10, 1944, Roger married Helen Mages, his life long wife and partner.  When Roger returned from the war he went back to work for Sheldon’s Truck & Tractor. He purchased a dump truck and went out west with Shorty Kingsbrough and hauled road materials in Russell, Hays and McPherson, Kan. In 1949 they bought 53 acres near Centropolis, Kan., from Mr. Denniston. Roger also worked at Sunflower Ordnance Plant in DeSoto, Kan., for eight years and later for Vic Lobsec in Topeka, Kan.

In October 1959 they purchased the station one mile north of Ottawa. They ran Scott’s Service for 23 years. On Nov. 17, 1966, the original station burned, they started over and rebuilt in May 1967. It was a family-run business. In March 1982, they leased the station. After leaving the station, Roger and Helen continued the farming and cow operation. Roger bought and repaired tractors and re-sold them. He then went to hauling rock and dirt. Roger has sold dirt all over Franklin County.

Roger loved the farm and his Allis Chalmers tractors. He loved people and his family, especially the grandchildren.

He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, V.F.W. and 12th Armored Army Group.

Roger is survived by five children, Mary Garber, and her husband, Ed, of Ottawa, Shirley DeVore, of Princeton, Roger Daniel Scott, and his wife, Sally, of Topeka, John Scott, and his wife, JoAnn, of Ottawa, and Margaret Helmick, and her husband, David, of Pomona; a son-in-law, Bill DeVore; 15 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; two sisters, Audrey Johnson, of Monterey, Calif., and Icel Haliday, of Arkansas City, Kansas; five brothers, John A. Scott, of Pomona, Clarence Scott, of Pomona, Charles Scott, of Ottawa, Wallace Scott, of Golden City, Mo., and Ben Scott, of Washburn, Mo.; and many nieces and nephews.

Roger was preceded in death by his wife and partner, Helen; his parents; a grandchild, Chris Scott; a sister, Joyce Craig; and two brothers, Dan and Norman Scott.

Roger was a big part of so many lives, he will be missed. The family wishes to Thank you for all your acts of kindness. God bless.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Thursday, June 18, 2009, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Ottawa, Kan. Military Honors and interment will follow at Mt. Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Ottawa. A Rosary will be recited 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Visitation will follow from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the church.

Memorial contributions to Sacred Heart School or Sacred Heart Church and may be sent in care to the Lamb-Roberts Funeral Home, P.O. Box 14, Ottawa KS 66067.  Online condolences may be shared with the Scott family at www.lamb-roberts.com