Vernon Scott

Aug. 18, 1937 — April 3, 2016

Vernon Elwood Scott, 78, of Ashland, died Sunday, April 3, 2016. Born Aug. 18, 1937, in a one-room tar paper shack across the railroad tracks on No. 8 Mine Road in Ashland, Kentucky, the son of John and Minnie Osborne Scott, both deceased.

He was also preceded in death by three brothers, John Edward Scott, George William Scott and Robert Kahne Scott.

Survivors in his immediate family include his wife of 50 years, Rita Annette Ball Scott; son, Jonathan Scott (Jaqueline Bonsu); and daughter, Jennifer Scott (John Sondek, daughter Arkasha Stevenson).

Known as Elwood to childhood friends and family, Vern or Vernon at work and to friends made later in life, he was a born storyteller, a gifted salesman and businessman and a larger-than-life figure to those who knew him. He will be sorely missed.

Vernon was a natural entrepreneur – at age 11, using the profits from selling a pig he’d raised, he bought a pair of goats to breed and sell their offspring. His goat business lasted until his parents tired of goats hanging out on top of the family’s truck. However, the seed of later business endeavors had been planted. That seed was further nurtured when Vernon, age 12, worked picking strawberries for one day on Alvin Harper’s farm. He earned 75 cents for a hard day’s labor once the cost of his lunch had been deducted. He didn’t return the next day. Working for other people lost a bit of its appeal in that strawberry field on that hot, late spring day.

He graduated from Rock Hill High School (class of 1955) and attended Ohio State University (OSU) on an athletic scholarship. His first tenure at OSU was cut short due to a career-ending injury during the last practice before the first football game of his freshman year. In June 1956, Vernon enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. through a special two-year program with friends, including his lifelong friend, Ronnie Baldwin. After completing their enlistment in the Marine Corps, Vernon and Ronnie weren’t quite done seeing the world, so in December 1958 they enlisted in the U.S. Army. After completing both enlistments and being honorably discharged from military service, Vernon returned to OSU to complete his education. He met his future wife, Rita, also a student at OSU, and graduated in 1966 with a bachelor of science in anatomy.

Vernon founded Scott Chemical Company in Ironton in 1966. A thriving business for five decades, Scott Chemical is a tight knit extended family, with many employees working for the company for years, and in some cases, for decades. The company will continue to be run by Vernon’s son, Jonathan.

Vernon was also a fighter, with a powerful will to survive, without which we would have lost him years ago. He received a heart transplant in 1994 at the University of Kentucky Transplant Center and was well served by that heart, as it kept him with us for another 22 years. His family and friends would like to express gratitude to the generosity of his anonymous organ donor’s family for the profound gift of those additional 22 years.

In his final days, he reiterated that he’d had a good life, a full life. And that life will live on in our memories and in the lives of those he touched with his presence.

A memorial celebration is planned for Saturday at the Tracy Brammer-Monroe Funeral Home, Ironton. Friends and family can call at 1 p.m. with the memorial starting at 2 p.m. There will be time afterwards to visit and celebrate Vernon’s life and memory with food and fellowship. Per Vernon’s instructions, there will be no funeral service or viewing. Phillips Funeral Home, Ironton, is assisting the family with the arrangements. To offer condolences to the family, please visit www.phillipsfuneralhome.net or www.tracybrammerfh.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Kentucky Organ Donors Association (KODA), 10160 Linn Station Road, Louisville, KY 40223; or the American Heart Association, Great Rivers Affiliate, PO Box 15120, Chicago, IL 60693.

 

Barb McPeek

April 20, 1950 — April 3, 2016

Barb D. McPeek, 65, of Peebles, formerly of Oak Hill, passed away Sunday, April 3, 2016, at Adams County Regional Medical Center in Seaman. She was born April 20, 1950, in Lawrence County to the late Isaac and Carolyn (Collins) Howard. She is survived by daughters, Audrey McPeek, of Oak Hill and Carolyn Sharp, of Jackson; son, Charles McPeek, of Jackson; siblings, Elroy Howard, of Pedro, Walter Howard, of Pedro, Jimmy Howard, of Hartville, Hazel Irene Klott, of Columbus, Edward M. Howard, of Jackson, Helen Price, of Oak Hill, Charlie Howard, of Oak Hill, Laura Lovett, of Jackson and Artie Nelson, of Oak Hill; as well as three grandchildren and one great-grandchild. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, James McPeek; a son, Jimmy McPeek; and sister, Lucille Howard. Calling hours will be Friday from noon-2 p.m. at the Lewis & Gillum Funeral Home of Oak Hill. Funeral services will immediately follow at 2 p.m. with the Rev. Fred Crabtree officiating. Burial will follow at C.M. Cemetery. Online condolences may be sent to www.lewisgillumfuneralhomes.com.

 

James Swann

James Albert Swann, 88, of Chesapeake, died Monday, March 28, 2016, at Sanctuary of the Ohio Valley. He is survived by his wife, Joan Ruth McDonough Swann. Arrangements are pending at Hall Funeral Home and Crematory, Proctorville.

 

Gene Shipley

Gene Shipley, 51, of Huntington, West Virginia, died Friday, April 1, 2016, at home. Arrangements are pending at Hall Funeral Home and Crematory, Proctorville.