Jerry Don Scott
Jerry Don Scott passed from this world on the evening of March 4, 2023. Born in Marion County on February 28, 1953, Don lived most of his life in Chattanooga. After the passing of his mother when he was four years old, he always felt fortunate that he was entrusted to the care of the Tennessee Baptist Children’s Home where he lived and thrived until age 15. At that time, Charles and Eda Crawford, parents of his best friend, Chuck, became his legal guardians, and he was welcomed into the Crawford family as a brother.Don was a Tyner Jr. and Tyner High School athlete, playing football, baseball and basketball. After high school, he joined the National Guard and, after basic training, worked for many years with Charles Crawford and Sons Masonry. He was a master brick mason and contributed his talents to many of Chattanooga’s buildings, including McCallie School, UTC dormitories, Erlanger Medical Tower, and Covenant College. He also designed and built several of the small sidewalk structures in downtown Chattanooga.Don’s passion was fishing, boating, and golf, and he was a member of local bass clubs for many years. In addition to his local outdoor sports, he was introduced to Canadian fishing 40 years ago by Mark Ide, formerly of Chattanooga. In their friendship and brotherhood, Don and Mark enjoyed adventures across the globe: fishing in Alaska and across the US, South America, and annual Canadian trips; golfing in Scotland; spectating the Super Bowl; and even music festivals. Mark and another dear friend, Todd Graham of Michigan, became adventure soulmates, and Don was ever grateful for these relationships. Of late, the thing he was most proud of was helping take care of Mark’s farm in Middle Tennessee, moving there full-time in 2022. He was the happiest he had ever been in that setting, explaining to his son that he loved helping host the deer and turkey hunters, but, as for him, he only shot armadillos.
Quiet, clever and good-natured, Don will be missed by all those who loved him: his sons, Eric and Adam (Natalie) Scott; his step-son and daughter, Aaron and Lacy Seale; granddaughters, Savannah Scott and Emma Seale; his partner in life, Lee Ann Farmer, and her daughter, Emily Mitkus, and grandchildren Drew Eaves, Annalee & Andi Kate Mitkus; his chosen brothers, Mark and Todd; his adoptive brothers, Chuck and Jamie Crawford; his brothersin-law, David and John Noblit. His sisters in Jasper, TN, Betty Carson, Helen Green, and Brenda Skiles loved him and will miss their baby brother.
Don was preceded in death by his wife, Sara Scott; his foster parents, Charles and Eda Crawford; his parents, Raymond and Margie Scott; brothers, Millard and Tommy Scott; sisters Wanda Stephenson and Peggy Sneed; and a special couple that he continued to love and care for, Welch and Virginia Noblit.
Friends are invited to join Don’s family in visiting together and sharing their memories of him on Thursday evening, March 9th, from 5:30 to 8:30 at The Car Barn, 6721 Heritage Business Court, just off Lee Highway in Chattanooga.