James Scott

1937 - 2025

James Scott

1937-2025

Iowa City, IA-James (Jim) Raymond Scott, M.D.

Jim Scott, 87, a man of few words but great integrity, died of heart failure April 7, 2025, at the Iowa City Bird House. He was surrounded by his family, who will forever miss his generosity and steady character.

Jim was born June 24, 1937, in Mediapolis, Iowa, the son of Raymond and Helen (Holsteen) Scott, and raised in nearby Burlington. In high school, he and his friends started a jazz band called The Off-Beats and played gigs around town. He was active in baseball, basketball, and many other activities, culminating in his timeless Burlington High School commencement speech. All the while, Jim worked early mornings at his parent's neighborhood grocery store. He also caddied at the Burlington Country Club, which marked the beginning of a lifelong affection for golf. The way he played reflected his personality-calm, consistent, and high-achieving.

Jim went on to attend the University of Iowa, pledging Phi Kappa Psi fraternity and enrolling in ROTC. On June 14, 1958, he married (Mary) Jo Putney, after they met on a blind date. In 1962, he graduated from the University of Iowa medical school and, after an internship, was assigned by the Public Health Service to the Hopi Indian reservation at Keams Canyon, Arizona. Later, Jim became a general practitioner in Grundy Center, Iowa, then pursued a residency at the University of Iowa in OB/GYN. He held a two-year reproductive immunology fellowship at Southwestern Medical School in Dallas and later worked to develop an artificial fallopian tube. After a stint as staff physician at the University of Iowa, he became, at age 39, chairman of the University of Utah OB/GYN department. Under his leadership, it became a world-class department. His patients adored him because he put them first; his students, residents and staff respected him for the same reason. Jim remained active in his profession as editor of the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology (known as The Green Journal).

Jo and Jim lived in Park City, Utah, for 38 years before retiring to Iowa City in 2015. Jim loved the mountains and everything it offered, including skiing, hiking, golf, and his local Rotary chapter. He loved Hawkeye sports, travel (including a family reunion every summer in Minnesota), Chet Baker and Willie Nelson tunes, and doing a bit of oil painting.

He lived a humble and purposeful life.

Survivors include his loyal and loving wife of 66 years, Jo Scott, his four children, Laurie Scott Cummins (Daniel) and their children, Jim (Mira) and Katie; Annie Lesko (Paul) and their children, Jimmy (Kayleen), John (Chandler) and Joey; Jeff Scott and his children Delcina Medina (Adrian), Heather (Ely Gaylord), and Ashlyn (Brendan Rose), and Holly Blomberg (Brad) and their children, Andrew, Scott (Jory Goff), and Emmitt Benbow-Blomberg (Leon). In addition, Jim is survived by great-grandchildren Annabelle, Juliette, and Oscar Cummins and Delira and Tyler Medina. He was predeceased by his parents and his brother, Robert Scott.

A memorial service will be held on September 21, 2025, at 1:00 PM at Brown Deer Golf Club. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the James R. and Jo Scott Society benefiting women's health at the University of Utah School of Medicine or to the University of Iowa Obstetrics and Gynecology Department.

Online condolences may be left at www.lensingfuneral.com.