Reverend Augustus Gus Scott Jr.

Reverend Augustus (Gus) Scott Jr. departed this life on November 17, 2022, at his residence. He was born on February 24, 1953, to the late Augustus Scott Sr. and Ida Bell (Armstead) Scott, in Chicago, IL.
In 1970 Gus graduated from Phillips High School (Chicago, IL). He then earned a B.S. in mathematics from Knox College (Galesburg, IL). He went on to earn a post-graduate degree (M.A.) from Northern Illinois University (Dekalb, IL) in Public Administration.
While in college, he managed a band called "Something For Your Head". In recent months the band informed him of their desire to get the band back together and Gus was looking forward to working with them once again.
Gus worked for the Illinois Department of Corrections for 27 years. He retired as the Warden of Lincoln Correctional Center, Lincoln, IL after serving in this post for 12 years. While at L.C.C. he managed the 24-hour overhaul of changing Lincoln Correctional Center from an all-male prison to an all-female prison, a massive undertaking. He was instrumental in establishing the Mommy and Me camp at Lincoln which allowed incarcerated women and their children an opportunity to bond outside of the prison gates. He was the first Black warden at Lincoln Correctional Center which proved to be challenging. Throughout his years in corrections, he also worked in the juvenile division in St. Charles, IL, as a superintendent at the Pontiac Correctional Center (Pontiac, IL), and as an Assistant Warden at Danville Correctional Center (Danville, IL). He also served in other positions during his IDOC career. He received many awards and recognitions for his service. While working at D.C.C he met the love of his life Kym Ammons-Scott and on August 22, 1992, they married.
Education was important to Gus. He was elected as the first Black school board member of the West Lincoln Broadwell Elementary School District #92 (1999-2006). Gus also taught math at MacMurray Community College (Jacksonville IL), Richland Community College (Decatur IL), and Heartland Community College (Normal IL). He loved working with students and his calm, confident demeanor helped many students become confident in their math skills.
Gus always had an entrepreneurial spirit. He opened his first BBQ restaurant in Danville, IL called "The Smoke Shack" with a lifelong friend. After moving to Lincoln, Gus and Kym started Scott's Catering which became a sought-after catering company. Years later he opened another BBQ restaurant in Lincoln, IL called "Big Gus's BBQ." He was able to share his love for grilling by cooking for the Annual Lincoln Balloon Fest and the Annual Second Baptist Church Youth Chicken Dinner where his secret BBQ sauce was always a hit. Another love Gus shared was the love of the card game Bid Whist which he spent many hours playing with friends.
Later in life, Gus heard the calling of the Lord while a member of Second Baptist Church in Lincoln, IL. He taught Sunday school to the teenage class at the church and at state conventions. He then became a deacon and then an ordained minister, under the leadership of Pastor Glenn Shelton. Gus served as an Associate Pastor at Second Baptist Church. He loved being in the presence of men of God. He worked with the Men's Ministry, sang in the men's choir, and assisted in the planning of annual men's days, etc.
He was most proud of the accomplishments of his children, whom he got to see graduate from college. Ashanti Scott of Normal, IL, Jamaal Scott of Lakeland, Fl, and Janel Scott of Normal, IL.
For the last almost nine years of his life, Gus lived with disabilities that resulted from a stroke. During this time, he learned to lean on God as never before. He mentioned to a friend that had it not been for the stroke he would have never known the Lord like he grew to know Him.
Survived by his wife Kym Ammons-Scott, and his children Ashanti Scott, Jamaal Scott, and Janel Scott; siblings, Robert Scott of Chicago, IL, Barbara Jean Scott of Chicago, IL, Leonard (Stacey Cunningham) Scott of Indianapolis, IN; His nieces and nephews, Samuel Scott, Edward (J.R.) Scott, Kyle Scott, Eboni Scott, Eric Scott, Ericka Scott, Jameelah Ammons, and Jade Ammons. As well as a host of cousins, aunts, uncles, great-nieces, and great-nephews.
Preceded in death by his parents, and brother Edward Scott.