My friend Ron Scott passed away over the weekend. Ron was one of the most delightful and inspirational people I’ve ever had the pleasure to know and he was a fantastic jazz guitarist as well.

I first met Ron while I was working as a salesperson at Studio E Music and I was instantly charmed by his quick wit and smile. He always enjoyed sharing stories of his time on the road performing with Alvino Ray and other well-known big band musicians; and he always had an encouraging things to say about my own endeavors as a guitarist and teacher. His kind words meant a lot to me and inspired me to work harder to live up to the extraordinary compliments he paid me. As Ron’s health deteriorated in recent years his positive outlook never seemed to. He still loved to talk and share stories and he occasionally phoned to check up on me. I will remember my friend Ron fondly.

Obituary
Ronald Wayne Scott, age 84 of Athens, Husband, Father, Musician and Friend passed away Saturday morning Sept. 27, 2008 at Hickory Creek Nursing Center, The Plains. Born on August 20, 1924 in Columbus, he was the son of the late Violet Matheny Maybach and Marvin H. Scott. Raised by his maternal grandparents, Sarah and Bernard Matheny, he grew up in Laurel Run, Ohio during The Great Depression.

After graduating from high school, Ron enlisted in the Coast Guard where he served as a signalman in the South Pacific. After the war, he returned to Southeastern Ohio where he met and married his late wife of 42 years, Donna Liggett of New Marshfield, who passed away in 1990.

A self-taught musician, Ron won state and regional guitar competitions from an early age. He continued to perform as a band member and guitar soloist for the rest of his life. As a member of the Coast Guard Band, he played with many Big Band musicians. Later he met and performed with such well-known celebrities as Bob Hope, Andy Griffith and pedal steel guitarist “Speedy” West. Beyond his musical accomplishments, Ron received multiple honors from Eastman Kodak for his work as a lithographer at Lawhead Press, Athens, where he worked until he retired in 1988.

Ron is survived by his children; Tressa Scott (Mark) Fox of Hornby Island, British Columbia and Jeffrey (Deborah) Scott of Athens; grandsons Aaron and Jacob Fox of Montreal, Quebec; two sisters- Dorothy Holder of Corpus Christi, Texas; Ardis Ellingson of Durango, Colorado; a brother Thomas Scott and stepmother Julia Scott, both of Seaside, Oregon.

Funeral service will be conducted Thursday 2:00PM at Jagers & Sons Funeral Home, Athens by Rev. Lee Ortman with burial in New Marshfield Cemetery. Friends may call Thursday 1:00PM until time of service. Military rites will be conducted by K.T. Crossen Post 21 American Legion, VFW Post 3477 and VFW Post 9893 Honor Guards at the cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Ohio University School of Music in memory of Ronald W. Scott, c/o The Ohio University Foundation, P.O. Box 869, Athens 45701.