Terry J. Scott

Terry James Scott of Topeka, KS, passed away surrounded by his wife and children on February 19, 2024, at the age of 80. Born again in the love and grace of Jesus Christ, Terry lived a life marked by faith, love, and unwavering devotion to God.

Terry was born on February 6, 1944, in Briartown, Oklahoma, a member of the Wolf Clan of the Cherokee nation, to Fred Thedford and Navada Norene (Purdom) Scott, where he grew up surrounded by love, laughter and strong Christian values.

He attended first and second grade in Council Hill, Oklahoma until his family moved to Rome, KS where he completed the remainder of his grade school education. It was at Rome, KS that he met his teacher, Velma Harris. Under her tutelage he would gain a voracious love of reading and identifying/watching birds of all sorts that would last a lifetime. After grade school he attended South Haven High School (South Haven, KS). He participated in sports of every sort (his greatest love being baseball, even though the high school didn't have a team) and met one Carol Lee Miller. When the junior class of performed their class play in 1961 of "Cheaper by the Dozen", Terry was cast as the "dad" and Carol as the "mom". Carol's cousin, CJ, bet Terry two bits that he wouldn't kiss her in rehearsal. That seemed to seal the deal as Terry never backed down from a challenge. He started dating Carol, carrying her books (he never seemed to have homework or books to carry much to her chagrin) to the bus each day and proposed to her three years later in January of 1964 on a country road not far from her family farm.

Terry James and Carol Lee (Miller) were united in holy matrimony on July 17, 1964, at South Haven United Methodist Church in South Haven, KS. They chose an afternoon rehearsal and evening wedding. In perfect Terry fashion he worked the night before his wedding at Boeing in Wichita.

A man never to sit still and also the consummate provider, he worked three jobs when they first were married (Boeing in Wichita, KS, Yost Funeral Home and Otasco both in Wellington, KS) to put his beloved through college for a degree in education at Southwestern in Winfield, KS. Terry joined the Wellington (KS) Police Department in 1965 and served the as a police officer there until 1968. In 1969 he accepted a position with the Kansas Highway Patrol as a state trooper, with his first assignment being Topeka, KS. Terry and Carol moved to Topeka where he was a trooper and also served on the Governor's detail for Governor Docking. Even getting in trouble with the staff for eating pie out of the fridge that was meant for an event at the mansion. It was in Topeka that Terry and Carol's family grew with the birth of two children. Kara Michelle and Brent Travis were born while they were stationed in Topeka with a home on Iowa on the eastern side. In 1975 Terry took a new assignment in Garden City, KS. It was there that their family grew once again with the birth of their second daughter Laura Leann. Continuing in his growing career with the highway patrol the Scott family moved to Chanute in 1980. As his career bloomed, they moved for the last time, in 1981, back to Topeka where Terry accepted a promotion to Lieutenant of Division One on the condition that he would move as long as he could find a house "outside" of town. Furthering his education, he attended Cowley County Junior College and Barton County for an associate degree. He then attended the Southwestern Law Enforcement Institute in Dallas, Texas in 1982. Making his home in the Seaman district he and Carol would build a life as North Topekans. Terry continued working at Division One and was promoted to Captain and served on the Major Case Squad (M-Squad). He then took a new role as Captain of Research and Planning at KHP Headquarters, moving to an office downtown. It was under Governor Joan Finney that Terry was appointed Lieutenant Colonel for the Kansas Highway Patrol under Colonel Lonnie McCollum. He retired after 25 years in 1994. Not one for sitting still, and after successfully ruining Carol's daily routine, he worked security for Menninger's. Then his ultimate "retirement" job came along as a fish and game officer for the Prairie Band Pottawatomie Reservation. What could be better than getting paid to watch out for poachers, rescue various critters from basements and washing machines and driving a truck around all day? As mentioned, Terry was never one to back down from a challenge, so when the Prairie Band asked him to take the position of Police Chief, he took it on with gusto and built out the department to a full police department with all of the credentials of other law enforcement agencies. After retiring, again, he took on the role of Bailiff for the Kansas Supreme Court where he was known for the ties he wore in court. When his shoulder needed replaced (and he would no longer ruin Carol's daily routine) he retired for the final time serving more than 40 years in law enforcement.
Never one to be idle, after retiring from law enforcement Terry took on his next role. Author and Writer. He wrote six novels in his favorite genre, westerns, under the pen name of James Scott.

He enjoyed hunting, fishing, golfing, working with his hands, tending his garden and fruit trees, feeding his steers apples and little treats for his "ladies", his hens in the henhouse. Players at the KPOA golf tournament were glad when the Scott's (and company) retired and stopped playing so someone else could win. However, Terry loved baseball. He loved playing it, watching it, coaching it. He coached all three of his children. Teaching them how to steal second, play hot box, always watch your third base coach (If I get you thrown out … fine. If you get yourself thrown out… you're in trouble). He coached the Bethel Baptist co-rec softball team with Richard Starr and loved having four women on the infield. He played at family reunion and on family teams in Briartown with one almost leading to a bench-clearing brawl. Later in life, one of his greatest joys was watching his grandchildren in all of their activities including baseball. Many a day and night were spent at the ballpark including anniversaries almost every year.

He was a man of honor, the utmost integrity (his yes, was yes, and his no, no), fiercely loyal, kind, loving (the huggin'est family around), a bargain hunter (an auction or garage sale was a favorite pastime), a man with a generous spirit, and a willingness to lend a helping hand to those in need. His home open to family, friends, friends of his children for movies, Superbowl parties and just hanging out. A place for many a missionary to stay and so many VBS College Groups. Always a home of love and friendship. "Dad Scott" to so many.

Terry's faith ran deep. He accepted Christ as his savior in 1960 at the age of 16, on Christmas Day. He got saved as his family was helping to start the Free Will Baptist Church in Wellington, KS in a garage. Later he was baptized in the South Canadian River in Whitefield, Oklahoma in water so cold they had to skim the ice off for the baptism. He has been deeply involved in the churches he and Carol attended in each of the cities they called home. Serving as a Sunday School teacher, elder, helping in Awana, on the missions committee. Most recently, active members of First Baptist Church in Silver Lake, KS he and Carol became an integral part of the church body. He served as a general contractor for the expansion of the church building there, enjoyed small groups with several couples, men's group and continued to mentor men (young and old); many of them one on one, until the very end.

Terry was a loving husband, father (Dad/Pop), grandparent (Poppa), great-grandfather and friend. He cherished time spent with family and friends, creating memories that will be cherished for generations to come. His legacy of loving Jesus lives on in his children and grandchildren.

Terry was preceded in death by his son Bret James, his parents, Fred and Navada (Purdom) Scott, two sisters - Lorita Kay and Phyllis June Scott, and two grandchildren – Andrew Brownlee and Charlotte Scott.

Terry leaves behind his beloved wife Carol, three children: Kara (Greg) Brownlee, Brent (Misty) Scott, Laura (Jason) Finson, 8 grandchildren: Garrett (Audrey) Scott, Emily (Eli) Gloss, Gavin (Ruthie) Brownlee, Anna Scott, Bret Brownlee, Addie Brownlee, Dalton Scott, Gracie Scott and five great-grandchildren: Beckham, Hallie, Blakely, Owen and Lydia. Four Siblings: Lowell (Patti Ann) Scott, Rick (Kathy) Scott, Pam Bailey, Pat (Charlie) Marsh and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other loved ones.

Though his physical presence will be deeply missed, Terry's spirit will continue to live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved him. We take comfort in knowing that when he left our loving arms he ran into the waiting arms of his savior, Jesus Christ.

Visitation will be Friday evening, February 23, 2024 from 6-8pm and a celebration of Terry's life will be held on Saturday, February 24, 2024, at 11am. Both will take place at First Baptist Church; 3439 NW Hoch Rd in Silver Lake, KS. Graveside services will be immediately following the service at Prairie Home Cemetery; 3430 NW Menoken Rd Topeka, KS 66618.

To view the livestream of the services at the church, please copy and paste the below URL:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sW5Sdr20aCE

Memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church of Silver Lake - Missions Fund OR Gideons International in c/o Parker-Price & Davidson Funeral Home.

To leave a message for his family online, please visit the guestbook below.