Brett Scott

1974 - 2025

Brett Scott

Brett Scott, 50, of Talladega, AL, formerly of Moline, IL, died January 24, 2025 at Grandview Hospital in Birmingham, AL. He was born April 27,1974 in Bloomington, IL, to David and Mary McDermand Scott. He grew up in the country near Bradford, IL, where both sides of his family had deep roots in farming. His family moved to Moline in 1987. He graduated from MHS in 1992 and left two days later for Army Basic Training. After six years of active duty, Brett attended Illinois State University while a member of the Army Reserves and then the National Guard. He married April Miller in 2001. They divorced in 2010. While in the Guard after 9/11, Brett deployed to Germany and then Ft. Polk, LA. It was during his last deployment that Brett became a National Guard recruiter and worked in Recruiting command. He retired in 2019 as a First Sergeant after 27 total years of service.

He chose to retire in Alabama where he had three acres of trees and became a self-proclaimed bird nerd. He was a board member at the Hall of Heroes Military Museum in Talladega, where he was very proud to donate and see on display his great-grandfather's WWI and his grandfather's WWII uniforms. Brett's uniform will now also be on display. He remained a fan of the Bears, Cubs and Notre Dame his whole life. Brett loved a good one-liner, never met a stranger, and was fortunate to have many friends. His best achievements were his kids: daughter Reagan and son Dylan. He was endlessly proud of them and cherished the time they spent together.

Survivors include his dearly loved children, Reagan and Dylan of San Ramon, CA; his mother Mary Scott of Moline; sister Laura Scott (Nick Markos) of Chicago; and brother Clint Scott (Amber) of Maroa and their children Zachary, Avery, and Carter; Uncle Mike McDermand (Marilyn); Aunt Sharon Dennison (Bruce); and cousins Karrie, Andy, and Jeff.

Preceding him in death were his infant son Brady James, infant brother Joshua David, father David, grandparents, and beloved cousins Karmen and Kristina. A celebration of life will be Saturday, April 26 from 1-4 p.m. at CityView Celebrations at Trimble Pointe in Moline. Family will bury the ashes at Osceola Grove Cemetery in rural Bradford. In lieu of flowers or gifts, memorials can be made to the Wounded Warrior Project. He is forever in our hearts.