Kenneth McKay Scott

1939 - 2017

Kenneth McKay Scott was born on January 17, 1939 in Blythe, California to Wilbur and Dorothy Scott. Ken grew up in Blythe and attended Blythe Primary School, Blythe Grammar School, Blythe Junior High School, and Palo Verde High School graduating in 1956.

After graduation, Ken attended college at the University of California, Riverside graduating in 1961 with a Bachelors of Arts degree in History and a minor in Spanish. For the next year Ken studied in the 1st teacher credentialing program at UCR.

In February of 1962, Ken began a long career in the field of education. His first teaching job was at Santa Maria High School. In the fall of 1963, Ken started teaching in Blythe at the Blythe Junior High School where he remained until 1975. In the fall of 1975, Ken began the next step in education, working as a counselor at Palo Verde High School. During the first two years he attended UCR at night and on weekends to complete work for a full Pupil Personnel Credential. Ken served for several years as a career counselor.

In 1985, Ken joined a group of trainees to begin a drug intervention program at the high school. From 1987-1989, he completed a certificate program at night and on the weekends in alcohol and drug studies. From 1989-1993 he served in the capacity as a crisis counselor for both adults and students. Ken conducted insight groups for the Drug Intervention Program and facilitated Alateen, A.A. and N.A. groups on campus.

From 1980-1985 Ken sponsored the Junior Statesman Club and started the Model UN program that ran until 1987. The culmination of the program was being invited to the Model UN conference in New York City for nine days. The kids raised the money and we all had a great time. In 1989, Ken and Eugenia Webber began the Peer Counseling Program at PVHS. He truly enjoyed working with all the students who had become peer counselors and the retreats they attended.

In April, 1991, Ken tested HIV positive. At first he thought this was the kiss of death but he decided to live and make the best of it. Within two years he realized what a blessing this was and that God called him to work in this field. He worked on a volunteer basis for the next few years. When all seven of his clients passed in a twelve month span, Ken asked God for a break and God said yes.

In 1960, Ken made a decision to become a Catholic. After six months of study with a priest, Ken was baptized on June 7, 1960. Ken had never been baptized before. He had read in books that being gay was a sin and if you were baptized, all your sins would be forgiven. The morning after being baptized, Ken woke up and said, "They must have used the wrong water. I still feel the same as I did yesterday." Ken remained a faithful Catholic all these years through good times and the rough times. Ken taught high school CCD classes from 1965-1975. He became a Lector and Eucharistic Minister at St. Joan of Arc in 1987. Ken was also a member of the RCIA team from 1990-2002.

Ken retired from education in 1999, but continued to work for a semester in the fall of 2000 and 2002 at PVHS. He also worked as a part-time counselor at Palo Verde College from 1984-2001. For several years, Ken worked at the Arizona Inspection Station and at the agriculture sheds during the summer months. He loved to travel and teach his children about American History.

In January 2003, Ken moved to the Coachella Valley settling in Cathedral City. He volunteered for 4 years with the Desert Aids Project. In June 2007, he began a part-time job at the AIM Mail Center in Rancho Mirage.

Ken stated that the most significant achievement he ever received was having the 1979 yearbook, "The Echo" dedicated to him. It came as a complete surprise. He was very humbled and honored that students would do this for him.

Ken passed away peacefully on April 25, 2017 in Indio, California with loving family at his side. Ken was preceded in death by his parents Wilbur and Dorothy Scott, older brother Wilbur and younger brother Gary. He is survived by his partner, Abe Schemmer, his children Aaron (Lori), Anne-Marie (Joe), Paul, Rachel, Benjamin (Elvia) and Jacob. He is also survived by his sister -in- law Genie Scott and brother George Amerman. Ken was blessed with 18 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.

Ken has a special request to make. In lieu of flowers please send a donation in his name to Desert Aids Project 1965 North Sunrise, Palm Springs, CA 92262. He was a client there from 1991-until his death.

Visitation will be held Thursday, May 4th beginning at 5:00 p.m., with Rosary starting at 7:00 p.m. at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church. Funeral Mass will be Friday, May 5th at 11:00 a.m. also at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church with burial following at Palo Verde Cemetery. A reception will follow the burial back at the Catholic Church.