Obituary for James Scott

James Scott

(September 30, 1925 – January 25, 2017)

James (Jim) Benjamin Scott, Ponca City resident, died Wednesday, January 25, 2017 at Alliance Health Hospital, following a sudden illness. He was 91 years old.

A memorial service will be held at the First United Methodist Church at 2 pm, Tuesday, January 31, 2017 with Rev. Mike Smith, pastor, officiating. Funeral services are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home & Crematory.

Jim was born in Muskegon, MI, on September 30, 1925 to George Robert Scott and Mary Frances Hester Scott.

The family moved to Waco, TX where he received his schooling, graduating from Waco High School.

He promptly enlisted with the Army Air Corp, serving as a gunner until his honorable discharge in 1945, in Jacksonville, FL.

While in Jacksonville, Jim met Ouita Elizabeth Via and they married on August 18, 1946 in Jackson, MS. They resided in Waco and Houston, TX then moved to Ponca City in December of 1954.

The move to Ponca City came with Jim’s employment with Continental Oil Co. His career spanned more than 30 years and covered many different responsibilities. As a Sr. Research Chemist, Jim invented Ruffcote in 1967, a product that was used around the world to coat pipelines to prevent oil and gas leaks, should a pipe break. Jim spend several years traveling the world upholding the patent on this product and ended his career, at Conoco Inc., helping with the design & construction of the R&D West building.

Jim was a lifetime member of the society of Petroleum Engineers and AIME (American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical, & Petroleum Engineers). He was also a Ponca City Noon Lion and served 3 years as the treasurer.

Prior to having children of their own, Jim was a mentor to many young men coaching many football and basketball youth leagues. After his son grew up, Jim volunteered as a Boy Scout leader for the troop at First United Methodist Church.

Jim and 5 friends made annual trips to Canada to enjoy the wonderful fishing there. He also enjoyed working jigsaw puzzles and playing gold. He had 3 Hole-In-One shots in his lifetime and received the Johnny Walker Golf International Hole-In-One Award upon hitting the third. He was never more proud than when his 10 year old grandson hit his first Hole-In-One during junior golf at the Ponca City Country Club in 2005. His grandsons were the greatest joy of his life!

He is survived by his daughter, Claire L. Scott, and her sons, Matthew A. Ware Jr. and Thomas E. Ware, all of Ponca City; two sisters, Mary Edwards of Eastland, TX and Ruth Bate of San Antonio, TX, and several nieces and nephews.

Jim was preceded in death by his wife, Ouita, son David E. Scott, parents, George R. and Mary F. Scott, a brother and sister-in-law George R. (Bob) Scott and wife Rochelle, two brothers-in-law, J.Q. Edwards and Phil Bate.

Memorial donations may be made to the First United Methodist Church Caring Fund, 200 S. 6th St, Ponca City, OK 74601 or Ponca City Noon Lions, Eye Glass Assistance Project, P.O. Box 532, Ponca City, OK 74602.

Source: Trout Funeral Home