James Scott Latchaw
James Scott Latchaw “Scott” entered his eternal rest on February 3rd after a long battle with dementia. He was born on February 26th, 1948, in Oelwein, Iowa, the eldest son of Marilyn and James Latchaw. Scott moved with his family to Aspen Hill, Maryland in 1960 where he became very involved with the Boy Scouts, ultimately earning the rank of Eagle Scout. Scott studied geology and botany at the University of Maryland and the University of California Santa Barbara. He ultimately earned his degree in computer science from the University of Maryland, where he was a member of the Pi Alpha Kappa fraternity and the band, playing trombone. Scott and his wife, Linda, were married on December 27th, 1991 in Severna Park. Scott had a long and fulfilling career working for Giant Food in Maryland and later Ahold, the company from which he retired in 2009. Scott’s career with Ahold brought Scott and Linda to Simpsonville, South Carolina, which they were proud to call home for nearly 20 years. Scott’s love for his family was matched only by his love for his church and community. He coached countless soccer, baseball, basketball, and softball teams through the Green Hornets in Severna Park. He was a leader in his church as well, serving as a youth fellowship counselor with the Methodist Youth Fellowship (MYF) at Severna Park United Methodist Church for 15 years and serving as a leader on their annual mission trips with the Appalachia Service Project for 13 years. Following their move to South Carolina, Scott became very active with the Simpsonville United Methodist Church congregation as well. He served his church communities as a Sunday School teacher and Stephen Minister, and he sang in the choir. Scott also loved gardening, hiking in the mountains, and biking, and was a Baltimore Orioles fan, attending the last night game at Memorial Stadium, the first night game at Oriole Park at Camden Yards, and Cal Ripken’s last game with his family.
He was always eager to teach his family about geology on hikes and family vacations, earning him the nickname “Ranger Scott” by his daughters and nieces. Scott’s family will most remember Scott’s kindness and generous spirit. He served his community and church family giving freely of the love, warmheartedness, mischievous smile, and sense of humor that his family so loved of him. Scott did so much to influence and enhance the lives of the youth in his community through his work as a counselor and coach, and he loved being an uncle, parent, and grandparent. Scott was preceded in death by his parents, Marilyn and James Latchaw. He is survived by his wife, Linda Latchaw, and his daughters Jessica (Geoffrey) Hermanstorfer of Severna Park, MD, Gretchen (Eric) Kostelny of Berwyn, IL, and Marti (Dan) Tordjman of West Orange, NJ, his granddaughter Ashton Hermanstorfer, and his grandson Houston Driscoll. He is also survived by his brothers and sisters, Rick (Marti) Latchaw, Pam (Alec) Crow, Kathy (Barry) Goldstein, Bob (Paula) Latchaw and Tom (Dee) Latchaw, and his beloved nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 24, 2024 at 1 pm in Severna Park United Methodist Church, 731 Benfield Rd., Severna Park, MD, 21146. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Scott’s name to: Appalachia Service Project, 4523 Bristol Hwy, Johnson City, TN 37601 (asphome.org). “Well done, good and faithful servant”. Online condolences may be made at
www.BarrancoFuneralHome.com