James And Barbara Scott

James Curtis Scott, aka “Jimmy”, “Jim”, “Dad”, and “PawPaw”, passed away at home, Thursday morning, March 31st, 2022, with loved ones by his side. He was 83 years-old.
Jim was born on April 9th, 1938 in Louisville, Kentucky to his parent’s Curtis A. Scott and Irma (Peege) Scott. He went to Shawnee H.S. and graduated in 1955. Jim then attended the University of Louisville and graduated in 1959, with a B.S. in Chemistry. After college, Jim moved to North Braddoek, PA for 3 months as a Management Trainee at U.S. Steel. He then moved to Dayton in 1960 and worked at NCR as a Research Chemist in the lab. The group he worked with at NCR was bought out by Appleton Papers and then by Eurand America. At Eurand, he was part of the group that used microencapsulation to develop the first time-released medication.
Barbara Joan (Thayer) Scott, aka “Barbie”, “Barb”, “Mom”, “Greema”, and "Zippy" passed away at home, Thursday, April 7th, 2022, with her family and friends by her side (seven days after her husband, Jim, passed away).
Barbara was born on July 26th, 1936 in Great Falls, Montana to her parent’s Lt. Col. John M. Thayer and Mary (Miller) Thayer. She attended many different schools throughout her childhood since her father was in the Army: Engleside, VA; Tampa, FL; Ft. Belvoir, VA; Oahu, Hawaii; and Marion, OH. Barbara graduated from Marion Harding H.S. in 1954. She attended the University of West Virginia and graduated in 1959 with a B.S. in Home Economics. Barb was accepted into Graduate School at The Ohio State University in 1961 and studied Mineralogy. She later went to the Midwest Montessori Center in Chicago, IL and received her Montessori Primary Diploma from the American Montessori Society, in June, 1971. Barbara moved to Dayton in 1962 and worked at NCR in the Research Labs as well. That’s where the following story began….
Jim and Barb ended up meeting each other while working in the labs at NCR. That is also where they met a group of people that become their lifelong friends: the Kearneys, Buirleys, Hessels, Matts, Muterspaws, Myers. The “Group” did almost everything together!! They loved boating and waterskiing. Jim was in many waterski competitions. They loved to spend time together snow skiing, bowling, playing softball, and so much more.
Jim and Barbara married on October 3rd, 1964 at Saint Joseph Church in Dayton, OH. They had 2 children, James Michael Scott and Tracey Allison Scott. They were devoted to their children, supporting all of the things the kids wanted to try – scouting, sports, band, choir, rescuing abandoned bunnies, making all kinds of crafts, horseback riding, gymnastics, running track, and so much more.
Barbara began working at the Montessori Center of South Dayton (MCSD) in 1971. When the owner’s (Pat and Gretl) were ready to retire in 1991, they asked Barbara and Jim if they would like to buy and run the Montessori School. Thrilled, they gladly accepted and began a new and amazing chapter of their lives. Barb was the Owner/Directress of the school as well as continuing to teach there. Jim was the Owner/CFO/and “jack of all trades” with caring for the building. He absolutely loved driving the station wagon as he transported the children from the Lincoln Park location to the building on Acosta St. MCSD meant the world to Jim and Barb. They put their heart and soul into the school, the children and their families. Jim and Barb were hardworking, dedicated, devoted and caring. They loved the children! They loved the families as well, many becoming dear friends and staying in touch. They had an amazing staff and became very close friends with many of them. They owned the school for 18 amazing years. Retiring from MCSD in 2009, was genuinely the hardest thing they ever had to do. Thankfully, many of the teachers and families have stayed close with them. They were always thrilled to hear from the families as their children met milestones as they grew, and how they flourished and became successful young adults. Jim and Barbara were blessed with so many beautiful memories.
They definitely did not slow down after retiring! They each had their own hobbies to stay busy: Jim LOVED the years he volunteered at the Schuster Center and Victoria Theater. He developed a passion for photography, continued his woodworking, and enjoyed tending to his flowers and plants in the yard and caring for their pond and Koi fish. He was always busy! Barbara continued her passion for children and teaching by volunteering as an assistant for her daughter who taught Pre-K at St. Albert the Great. She continued to love her shopping adventures, as well as her love for jewelry and gemstones. Barb loved to cook and was always in the kitchen making something. Most importantly, she continued to cherish her nightly walks with their dog Rosie. Together, Jim and Barb went on many adventures! They embarked on some incredible cruises. They continued going to Broadway shows and to the Dayton Dragon’s Baseball games. They thoroughly enjoyed being with their friends, always laughing and loving life. Jim and Barb cherished the time they spent with the family and so enjoyed their granddaughter’s and watching them grow up into young adults.
Carrying on Jim and Barbara’s legacy of faith, family, patriotism and giving back to the community are their children and spouses, Michael (Heather) and Tracey (Mark); their grandchildren Caitlyn (Gabe), Courtney and Christina; and the many friends they are so honored to have.
Jim and Barbara were very blessed and grateful to have such devoted, loving, and caring healthcare people in their lives. Our sincerest thanks to Dr. Heckman and his staff, Dr. Houser, Dr. Schreck, Nurse Cathy, Saundra STNA, Bella Care Hospice – Valerie RN, Chena LPN, Chaplain Brian, and the rest of their staff. A special thank you to all of the friends, neighbors and family that supported Jim and Barbara during this time. Our deepest gratitude to Mark Lucas, Son-in-Law, who handmade the urn for Mom and Dad.
To help the family celebrate Jim and Barb’s lives, you are invited to their visitation on Saturday, May 21st, at Routsong Funeral Home (2100 E. Stroop Rd. Kettering, OH 45429) from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM, with their Celebration of Life Service beginning at 1:00 PM. Anyone is welcomed during the service to share their favorite story or memory of Jim and Barb. You are also welcome to join the family after the service, in the adjoining room, to enjoy food and fellowship as we continue to celebrate Jim and Barbara’s life with love, memories and laughter!
Live streaming will be available during the service on YouTube, on the channel Routsong Funeral Service.
You are welcome to send flowers or plant a tree in memory of Jim and Barbara, as well as share any memories at www.routsong.com. Donations can also be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children, Wounded Warriors Project, Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s research, or Tunnel to Towers (T2T) Foundation.