David Ray Scott

Dave Scott began his life as a farm kid. He grew up in Jennings, Kansas on a vast farm/ranch in Decatur County, where he attended grade school in the two-room Allison School. In 1955, he entered Jennings High School where he didn't just play six-man football, he ran them over. He was also skilled in the ways of basketball, and would continue playing baseball throughout college. Dave attended and graduated from Kansas State University from 1959-1964 (he was on the five year plan). During that time, he was a die hard Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity member, and some of those stories are legendary. Dave met Ann Bates at Kansas State and they dated for three years until he told her to let him know when she wanted to get married. Fortunately, they did get married on December 22, 1964, and were off to Cheyenne, Wyoming in order to continue his career in the Air Force as a "SAC trained killer." While in Cheyenne, his "favorite" daughter, Kelley Scott was born in 1966. After Dave finished with the Air Force, they both returned to Manhattan to pursue graduate degrees at Kansas State University. In 1969, Dave graduated with a Masters in Geology.

In 1971, Dave and Ann found the home of their dreams. A limestone farmhouse built in 1865 that had been gutted by floods, taken over by bees, and was everything they had hoped for in a home. This home is a testament to his love of history, geology, and design. The beginning of Scott Building Company, Dave's employment for over thirty years, had its roots in this home. He began doing side jobs such as cabinetry, dollhouses, and small home renovations. By the late 70's, he began building "spec" homes on E.J. Frick Drive where the whole family would take part in the build. Dave's specialty was being able to recreate something fabulous out of something old and dated. He even did a 24 hour remodel for Burger King which was located on Poyntz Avenue. Dave built homes all over Manhattan, Wichita, Just Dance Studio in Great Bend, and a very nice log cabin just outside of Cottonwood Falls, but his true love was always his home.

As his building career was winding down, Dave became "Head of Labor" for Lee Creek Gardens. Ann's love of British Gardens translated directly into a nursery and landscape design company. Dave assisted in the transformation of five acres into beautiful landscaped designs, and structures. In 2014, Lee Creek Gardens was officially retired and they both continued with the maintenance and upkeep of the grounds. After Ann died, in March 2023, Dave continued working on their home and keeping all those plants alive. He did his best work riding around in his golf cart: sawing trees, moving hoses, and hauling limbs to the burn pile.

Dave Scott died at Midland Hospice Care in Topeka, Kansas on September 12, 2025 at 83 years old. He had been married to his "kiss of fire" for 58 years, had the wonderful opportunity of seeing his only daughter live a successful life and his granddaughter graduate with a Masters Degree and pursue her own success. Dave Scott's memorial will be held on Saturday, June 13, 2026 at the Scott residence as a celebration of life event. There will not be a funeral as that was not his wish and instead will join Ann at their home. More details on the celebration of life event will be determined later.

Kelley's Personal Note:

My dad called me Bug. He was the fun dad. The dad that taught you sports, even the underhanded parts to them like stepping on an opponent's toes during a free throw in a basketball game. I would always be able to tell if my parents were at a game as dad had the most piercing whistle and I would hear him yell, "Let's go Bug!" He would run a 50 yard sprint with me everyday after school. He would even ask me if I was willing to bet my allowance on winning. I always did bet it and I always lost…unitl once. He would help with basketball skills in our driveway, but we had a huge Mulberry tree in the middle of it, and he would yell "tree pick" and laugh while he made a layup. He was the dad that cheered for me when I defended myself in a basketball game. My mother was not as happy, but my father told all of his sub-contractors, employees, and lumber store guys with such affection and pride.

My dad was a giant. He had a wonderful sense of humor, dark occasionally, but always with a look. He was always willing to help, be it with Algebra (groan), making props for the dance studio, or playing with Peeps (my daughter). He was steadfastly loyal to our family and would do anything to protect it. He was stern, but with fairness and ice cream, there was always a way to apologize. He was a storyteller. I would hear so many tales of his life from fraternity days (banana plant), to his growing up at the farm (buffalo hide), escapades of his workers (skoal cans), and how he pursued my mom with intensity (edited version). My vision of my dad is always with my mom. They would toast every evening by saying, "still having fun?" I never saw them argue, unless you call my mom calling him a toad in a game arguing. I wanted that same love that they had for me in my own relationships. They were always the goal.

I hope my dad knows how hard I tried for him in the end. Dying with dignity is the best you can hope for and that just didn't happen for both of them. My heart hurts that I have lost my dad. I cannot even adequately express the loss that I feel. I really thought that I had more time with him. I was going through his calendar today and I found something interesting, but a little sad too. He had been listening to Dwight Yoakam and he had written out part of the lyrics. I will end this with those words, "I'm a thousand miles from nowhere. Time doesn't matter to me." I love you dad.

Bug

Conor's Personal Note:

My grandpa always told me I was his favorite granddaughter, which seemed a little obvious as I was the only granddaughter, but he always said it anyway. On the last day I saw him, I told him I loved him and asked if I was still his favorite granddaughter. His reply, in total Dave Scott fashion, was "F*** yeah."

My grandparents were fierce protectors, social butterflies, and incredibly intelligent individuals. The house they built is forever for them as they are etched in every corner of every room. I see them dancing around the kitchen after bringing in the groceries, sipping coffee in their bed in the early morning, and playing "Train" into the night. My grandpa pursued my grandmother in college and never let her go. He made a life-long career for himself in architecture, then opening the gardens at the house with my grandmother. My grandfather had a talent for making a crowd of strangers laugh with one of his many great stories, but he could also be incredibly serious when needed.

I had a dream soon after my grandmother had passed where we danced in the living room - and I was stunned she was even there. She was bright and free of pain. She had told me she was happy to see me and that she was proud of me. That was the last time I saw her. I hope my grandfather visits me the same because losing both of them has made a crater of a hole in my heart. In my mind, I imagine they have found each other again in whatever realm this may be, and that they are spending the rest of eternity together. Wherever life leads me next, I will step with my best foot forward with his words echoing in the back of my mind, "You are my finest project."