Scott Mitchell Suddath

Scott Mitchell Suddath, 56, of Richardson, Texas, passed away peacefully at his home on April 14, 2021.

Born on February 10, 1965, in Denton, Texas, to the late Thomas Milton Suddath and Linda (Lott) Rogers, Scott was raised in Denton and graduated in the Denton High School Class of 1983.  While in high school, Scott was a star offensive guard and linebacker on the Denton Broncos Football team.  He loved the Denton community and his Bronco friends throughout his life.  

After high school, Scott joined the United States Marine Corps and went to boot camp in San Diego, California.  He served in the Marines for one year and decided to change paths and enter the US Army’s Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC).  He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Army in 1989.  While in ROTC, he completed a criminal justice degree at the University of North Texas.  While there, he became a member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity.

After receiving his commission, Scott was deployed to Germany where he served as a Tank Commander.  Upon his return to the United States, Scott continued to serve in several positions.  Scott remained in the Army for many years and was honorably discharged at the rank of Captain. He immediately joined the Texas National Guard and began to put his criminal justice background to use by helping at-risk adolescents get their lives back on track through the Denton County Juvenile Justice Alternative Education Program.  Scott loved working with vulnerable youth, motivating them to make good life choices and be productive citizens.  Scott remained in the Guard for over a decade. 

With time, Scott decided to pursue a master’s degree in Social Work and moved to Oregon to study at Portland State University, from which he graduated in 2011.  Scott had truly found his calling.  He found great joy in helping veterans, the homeless, those with mental illness, and other disenfranchised people get the skills and services they needed to lead safe, productive, dignified lives.  Scott had a servant’s heart and was always ready to help those in need and to accompany a friend through difficult times. 

While in Oregon, Scott encountered a very special group of people, many were from his graduate studies program.  They became his family, and he became part of theirs.  One of these special friendships was with Sarah von Colditz and her family.  Scott became a godparent to Sarah’s daughter Ella Grace Rodgers.  He loved to spend time with Ella and pampered her like a princess.  Before his death, Scott made arrangements for a special gift to be sent to Ella each year on her birthday to let her know that he is thinking about her and watching over her from the heavens.  Scott also had a special relationship with Krista, a wonderful spirit who, in many ways, understood him better than anyone else. 

In 2015, Scott accepted a job as a social worker with the Veterans Administration in Wyoming.  He was there for only one year because he began to develop neurological and other health problems.  With his health in decline, he did not want to be away from family and friends, so he returned home to Texas.  Once there, he reestablished friendships with people from Denton and remained in close contact with his dear friends in Oregon.  They were with him each step of the way, sending love and good energy, as his health rapidly deteriorated. 

Scott was an avid sports fan and loved cheering on the Dallas Cowboys and North Texas Mean Green.  Scott’s paternal grandfather, Ralph Suddath, was a member of Oklahoma’s Choctaw Nation and was listed on the Dawes Rolls.  Scott was immensely proud of his Choctaw heritage and enjoyed exploring his ancestry and Choctaw history and culture. 

Scott was also a strong, proud member of the Democratic Party.  He believed that America’s strength came through its diversity and that we should never stop trying to build a more perfect union. 

Scott was proceeded in death by his grandparents Mr. and Mrs. Ralph (Gladys) Suddath and Dr. and Mrs. James (Opal) Lott and his parents Thomas Suddath and Linda Lott Rogers.  He is survived by his brother Jeff Rogers (Kathi) of Flower Mound; sister Karen Coakley (Darius) of Fort Worth; sister Kim Coslett (Jerry) of Aubrey; and brother Ralph Suddath.  In addition, he leaves behind aunt Lori Loiselle (Tracey) of Denton; uncle John Lott (Kim) of Denton; uncle Jim Lott of Denver; aunt Jane Theodore (Nick) of Keller; aunt Sue Hovey (Al) of Ormond Beach, Florida; special Denton friend Sara Knight, and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews. 

Scott will be interred at the Veteran’s Cemetery in Dallas, Texas.  In lieu of flowers, Scott encourages donations to the Portland State University School of Social Work.  For information on how to donate, please contact Ms. Sarah von Colditz at [email protected]

As he was facing death, Scott spoke about the importance of letting people know that you love them in life and not just after death.  Please take a moment and honor Scott today by letting someone know that you love them.

A Memorial Service will be held in the Chapel of DeBerry Funeral Directors on Saturday, May 1, 2021 at 12:00 OM

At the date and time of the service, follow this link https://www.facebook.com/BillDeBerryFuneralDirectors to watch the livestream of Mr. Suddath's memorial service.