Don Bacot Scott

Don Bacot Scott passed away unexpectedly on January 14, 2025, in Memphis, Tennessee, as he had lived his daily life, looking into the eyes of his college sweetheart and wife, Elizabeth, while holding her hand. His zest for adventure inspired travel escapades throughout the world with Elizabeth, to every continent except Antarctica. The auburn-haired man in dapper attire, the one with a twinkle in his eye, was a high-spirited achiever from the beginning. Don triumphed in leadership, scholastics, and athletics at Hazlehurst High School in Hazlehurst, Mississippi. He served as President of his Class, President of the Student Body, and valedictorian of his class. He excelled at football and baseball. His outstanding accomplishments continued at the University of Mississippi, where he served as President of the Student Body, while garnering a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting. He was Commanding Officer of ROTC and a member of Sigma Chi fraternity. He was awarded the Delta Sigma Pi Award for Top Business School Graduate. Upon graduation, Lieutenant Don Scott served as Naval pilot in Brunswick, Maine. He flew four-engine, turboprop P-3 Orion surveillance missions, while supervising a crew in charge of anti-submarine warfare. The professional career of Don Scott is one of responsibility, authority, and increasing success, culminating in ownership of his own global enterprise. Early on, at IBM, Don rapidly rose to Senior Marketing Representative, leading a team of sales, systems, and maintenance personnel for large data processing systems, marketing, and support on major accounts. Don was conferred many awards at IBM, including IBM Top Industry Salesman of the Year three times. As Executive Vice President of Econocom, USA, Don ripped through profit growth targets of national computer equipment leasing and sales to produce revenues greater than $90M, while managing a $9M expense budget. As Vice President of Progressive Capital, Don championed new and expanding companies by raising equity investment capital. Don then parlayed his business acumen into his lifelong passion for airplanes. As Vice President of The Memphis Group, Don managed an international sales force of 25 who brokered annual sales of $50M in airline industry spare parts. He executed the greatest transaction of spare parts in the history of Malaysia Airlines. Don's penultimate professional position was as Vice President of Marketing and Sales for corporate giant, Boeing of Seattle. Then Don founded his own aeronautical corporation, Pennant Aviation, with partner, Bob Kurtz. Together they achieved enormous success in buying and selling commercial aircraft and engines throughout the world. Don is as renowned for his dynamic engagement in personal interests and hobbies as for his business perspicacity. As a member of Cotton Carnival's Memphi Secret Society, Don was the youngest General Chairman, and ascended quickly to Memphi Duke, to Ouro, to Chaiman of the Board. He tackled the sport of hunting with such gusto, he ventured on three safaris. His enthusiasm for golf propelled him to play courses all over the world. An eminent oenophile, Don Scott eagerly shared his knowledge of wine and prized bottles from his private cache. He was a learned and revered member of Confr�rie des Chevaliers du Tastevin and pursued his love of wines to the Burgundy Wine Society at the Ch�teau du Clos de Vougeot in Beaune, France. Of the many enduring acts of kindness Don Scott committed from his heart, Don will be best remembered as an adoring husband, an achiever in every endeavor, and a Southern gentleman of charm, chivalry, optimism, and fun. Whether entertaining in his Chicago skyline apartment, or under tents at Dixon Gallery and Gardens, or at a corner restaurant with a new artist in town, Don's generosity to friends and acquaintances leaves a legacy of genuine, unfiltered, rare goodness of humankind. Don's wife and steadfast companion, Elizabeth, survived him by one week. He is survived by brother Joe Scott. He is predeceased by his parents, Evelyn Bacot and Joseph Wilmer Scott.


In lieu of flowers, please direct memorials to Second Presbyterian Church or to the Humane Society of Memphis and Shelby County. Please contact friends to attend a Celebration of Life for Don Bacot Scott and Elizabeth Scott.