John Delano Scott
John Delano Scott, age 88, of Sullivan, MO, passed away on Monday, February 15, 2021 at his home.
John, also known by JD, was born at Anthonies Mill on November 11, 1932, the son of Thomas George Scott and Maude Myrtle Northcutt. He attended the one-room schoolhouse Cavernville until it was time to attend high school in Sullivan where he lived with a family ‘in-town’ during the week and returned home to the farm on the weekends. He graduated from Sullivan at the age of 16 with the Class of 1949.
John joined the Marines at age 17 and was held offshore of Korea until his 18th birthday. His military unit, Fox Company, suffered greatly at the Toktong Pass near the Chosin Reservoir in North Korea, and their story is recounted in the book The Last Stand of Fox Company, as well as in a PBS 2016 American Experience documentary. John ended his military stint with two (2) Purple Hearts and received the third-highest military combat decoration to a member of the U.S. Armed Forces--a Silver Star awarded by Secretary of the Navy for gallantry in action--at the rank of Staff Sergeant.
John was united in marriage to Bertie Mae McDaniel on September 24, 1955. Shortly after their marriage, they moved to Missoula, Montana where their first child, Georgia, was born. After a couple of years, they returned to the Sullivan area and were blessed with two more children, Wendell, and Bradford. John and Bertie joined her father’s business, Western Auto, along with John’s brother George. They operated the business for many years, adding Western Furniture, until divorcing in 1982. On April 11, 1984, John married Mary Jane (Bryson) Diekmann, and the family grew with the addition of her children Todd and Janene. They operated the businesses until retiring in 1996. John and Jane were known for their dancing and playing cards with friends, until her death on March 27, 2019 after nearly 35 years of marriage. Over the decades, John shared his passion for hunting and fishing with family and friends alike, acting as a mentor teaching children, grandchildren, and friends at his properties in Sullivan and in Canada. John was a generous man. Besides sharing his time and talent, he gave an unknowable quantity of coins to children for the price of a handshake.
John is survived by his children: Georgia Scott of New Orleans, LA, Wendell Scott and wife Jamie, of Springfield, MO, Bradford Scott and wife Susan of Des Peres, MO, Todd Diekmann and wife Kathryn, of Desoto, MO, Janene Diekmann and husband Franklin Swain, of Parrish, FL; grandchildren; Cecilia Scott, Elliott Scott, Rachel Scott, Drake Scott, Alexandra Scott-Wright and husband Samuel Wright, Nicole Diekmann, and great grandchildren Todd Buerk and Nevaeh Diekmann, as well as many cousins, nephews, nieces, and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; Thomas G. and Maude Scott, siblings; George, Josie Edith (Gerry), Eugene (Doc), Vernon (Jim), Bertha; and spouse Mary Jane Scott.
Out of concern for the safety and wellbeing of all due to Coronavirus Pandemic, a graveside service will be held on February 27, 2021 for immediate family and friends at Midlawn Gardens in Union, MO. A virtual visitation will be held on Zoom at 4 p.m.; https://webster-edu.zoom.us/j/92861996196, where you are invited to share your memories.
In lieu of flowers please consider contributing to the scholarship fund established by the Sullivan Class of 1949. Checks can be made to the Sullivan Class of 1949 Scholarship, Community Foundation of the Ozarks, P.O. Box 8960, Springfield, MO 65801, or by charge at this link; cfozarks.org/sullivan49. Please note in memory of John Scott.
Friends may send online condolences to the Scott family at www.eatonfuneralhome.com.
All arrangements are under the care of Eaton Funeral Home in Sullivan, MO.