David John Scott

David John Scott, was born in Marysville, CA, on March 8, 1951, and passed away in Modesto, CA, September 11, 2025.

David was a fraternal twin, born with his sister, Donna, the third and fourth children of Joe and Ada Scott of Yuba City, CA.

He grew up with his siblings in the family home at 260 B. Street, Yuba City. He attended Bridge Street School and graduated from Yuba City High School.

He served in the United States Navy on the USS Fox, a guided missile frigate based in Bremerton, Washington. He worked many years at Joe Scott Furniture, his father's business in Marysville, CA.

David was active and energetic when it came to his many interests in life. He was a talented musician who played guitar, saxophone and keyboard, but his lifelong passion was his Scottish heritage.

He wore a full Scots military uniform and learned to play the bagpipes, which he played at many weddings, funerals, and other events.

He was chosen to be one of the pipers, along with Marysville's Stan Kearby, who welcomed Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh and husband of Queen Elizabeth II, to Boston, MA, for the celebration of America's sesquicentennial in 1992.

He piped for the prince as he walked down the gangplank of the Royal Navy tall ship "HMS Frederic Chopin", which represented Scotland in the tall ship regatta in Boston Harbor.

He received an autograph letter of thanks from the Lord Provost of Glasgow acknowledging his contributions. David's lifelong dream of visiting Scotland was realized when he traveled there with his elder brother, Jody.

He got to see the places he'd read about. The castles and battlefields, and the magical lochs and landscapes of the Highlands. The brothers took a boat ride the length of Loch Ness, but unfortunately did not see the legendary Monster!

They traveled around Scotland by train, and by ferry to the Isle of Arran, and lastly visited Edinburgh and its fabulous castle on the hill, saw the Honors of the Kingdom, and climbed to the top of a medieval tower for a stunning view of the countryside.

Before leaving Edinburgh, David visited a bagpipe shop, where, as an American, he amazed customers and clerks alike with his exact knowledge of the instrument and the art of playing it well.

Another passion of David's was history, especially the local history of Marysville, CA. He became obsessed with old photos of the iron arches that once spanned several of Marysville's downtown intersections.

He advocated and worked tirelessly to get them funded and restored, and finally, after years, restored they were.

The American flag that had draped the coffin of his namesake Uncle David Jeffrey, who was killed in action during World War II, was chosen to fly from the summit of the newly restored arch at 5th and D. Streets.

David was a fixer, a practical guy who never hesitated to jump in and help anyone in trouble or in need, whether friend, stranger, or animal.

He was a kind and generous man, and a gentle and patient friend and mentor to young people and children, though he never had any of his own.

The death of his stepdaughter, Hope, in a car crash was a devastating blow from which he never recovered.

Sadly, his great potential was cut short in mid-life by the scourge of dementia, which darkened his world and eventually robbed him of everything he loved in life.

He spent his final years confined in a skilled nursing facility where he died suddenly during the night of September 11, 2025. He was 74.

David is survived by his four siblings, Josie Bryant of Marysville, CA, Joseph Scott (Jody) of Woodland, CA, Patricia Scott of Hawaii, and Yuba City, CA, and his twin, Donna Gordon of Emmett, ID; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A funeral service will be held at Ullrey Memorial Chapel, 817 Almond Street in Yuba City, CA, at 11 AM on Tuesday, September 30, 2025. A graveside gathering at Sutter Cemetery will immediately follow.