Arthur Lee Scott, age 80 died in his home on his birthday, surrounded by his family, two daughters, wife and son-in-law.
Arthur Scott was born at General Hospital, in Clinton, MO on Sept 16, 1938. He grew up on the banks of the Osage River in west central Missouri and helped his dad, Lonnie and mother, Lena Grimes Scott as they ran a fishing camp, built cabins and operated a grocery and produce store near Brownington, MO.
He received his elementary education at Harris Bend School, a one room school house near the County Line Bridge in Henry County MO. His high school years were spent at Deepwater High School where he was the Valedictorian of the class of 1956 as well as the president of the Youth for Christ organization. Arthur went on to earn a degree at Kansas City College and Bible School, a teaching certificate at Pittsburg State College and a Master of Administration in Education from the University of Missouri, Southwest Missouri State College campus in Springfield, MO. He was one of the first in the post graduate program offered at this campus.
While in college at KCCBS he met and married his wife of 60 years, Ellen Hood. They were married in Iola, KS on June 29, 1958. She survives along with their two daughters, Arleen, and her husband, Jim Glenn of Woodbridge, VA and Teresa and her husband Larry Garn of Grand Rapids, MI. Arthur is also survived by a brother, Gary Scott of Urich, MO and a sister Kay Goodloe, of Clinton, MO and her two sons, Jeff and Mark Goodloe. He was proceeded in death by his parents, Lonnie and Lena (Grimes) Scott, two nephews Tevis and Terry Scott and his in-laws, Orville and Marian Hood.
At an early age Arthur gave his heart to the Lord. That decision guided his life and he never wavered in his commitment to Christ. As a boy he was invited to church by his uncle, Orval Scott. He rode with his cousins in the back of Orval’s pickup truck to and from church at Mt Olive Church of God (Holiness). While he never felt called to preach, his was a call to serve God through serving others.
Arthur Scott was a builder of buildings, of organizations and of the kingdom of God.
He started early in life building cabins with his father at Scott’s Camp along the Osage River. He and his uncles wired houses and brought light into many homes as the REA brought power lines for the first time into the rural area where he lived. Arthur shared with Teresa that he had his first electrical inspection at the age of 11 while wiring one of the cabins. Wherever he lived and worked he also built. Doing his regular day job he then worked late into the night on projects; wiring, plumbing, building and fixing. He built dozens of homes in Missouri and Kansas.
Arthur invested his expertise and energy into whatever organization he worked for. He served as principal and business manager at Mt Zion Bible School in Ava, MO, business manager at Kansas City College and Bible School and the Herald and Banner Press in Overland Park, KS. He served on the CoGH Youth Council, the Foundation Board, the Overland Park Church of God (Holiness) board and was the go-to guy for all sorts of issues.
Arthur loved to travel. He also loved to plan trips. He and Ellen were class sponsors of several classes at MZBS and the senior trips they led were ones to be remembered. He planned vacations with family and friends. They traveled extensively with cousins Ruth and Creighton McCarthy and Ruby and Murl Rice. He visited all 50 states.
He invested in youth. He taught, not only in the classroom, but lead by example. He was willing to work with any student who was willing to learn to work. Through his mentoring Arthur Scott led many young men and women in developing their skills to earn a living.
His most valuable contribution was his steadfast devotion to Christ and living honestly every day among his peers wherever he was.
But seek first His kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Colossians 3:23-24