Fred Scott - Obituary

red Scott was a product of an era gone by. He was truly a man among men. All his young life he was told stories of wars as far back as the Battle on San Juan Hill, the Civil War and the Korean War. Passed along from his grandfather to his great uncles, and eventually on to him were stories of heroes. In fact, he attended a ceremony for his first wife’s father, Staff Sergeant Edward A. Carter Jr., who was given posthumously the highest Medal of Honor. The award was presented by President Bill Clinton to his ex-wife’s family for the heroic feat Eddie performed. With so many stories of valor filling his mind, it was always a certainty to Fred that he was going to join the war. He lusted for a way to become a man. His intent was always to become an officer and a gentleman. Not so much officer, but certainly a gentleman. At 15 he joined the Army, came out and then joined the Navy deriving his love for boats. Fred was an avid sailor. His first boat was from a kit that he and his “gang kids” put together and sailed. He finished as a corporal, and was more than proud of it, but it was the generals and coronels that were his heroes. His love for writing was greater than his love for heroes. So he weaved fantastic stories about them, having even published a few. Everyone said he had a way with words. His stories and the way he presented them verbally were a real treat for both adults and children. The stories might have been long, but you were guaranteed to go on a wonderful voyage with him, gain a laugh or two and learn more than any history teacher could ever teach. He took his heroism a step further, and started his career as a gang worker in Los Angeles, California. He was shortly promoted to deputy probation offer—leaving after a good workout from the kids and the harsh civil rights situations occurring during that time. He loved it! From there he started his federal career in the U.S. Department of Commerce—same agency his mother and wife worked for—and was asked to take a directorship with the Peace Corps in Nigeria. Did I mention he received his Master’s degree in African-American history from Howard University—same university his mother graduated from. Finally he retired from the U.S. Department of Education. He left behind a wife, 3 daughters, one son, and 5 grandchildren. Family and friends are invited to Fred's Life Celebration on Monday, April 15, 2013 from 10:30 am until time of services at 11am. Interment will follow at Maryland Veterans Cemetery, Cheltenham, MD. at 1pm. Please leave your thoughts and memoires by signing the guestbook located below.