Rick Scott Obituary

SCOTT-Rick L. Scott, our beloved husband, father, coach and teacher, died suddenly Saturday, November 27, 2004, at his residence in Ventura. Rick was born January 4, 1949, in Pasadena, California. He grew up in Rosemead where he attended elementary and middle school. He graduated from Rosemead High School in 1967. As a freshman at Rosemead, he lettered in baseball, basketball and football. His football career began as the freshman quarterback, but he was soon elevated to the Varsity level, where he quarterbacked his entire high school career setting many school records including the all time offensive leader, compiling 1720 total offensive yards as well as being Offe nsive Captain and First Team All League. Rick attended Colorado State University on an athletic scholarship for two years. He returned to Southern California to attend California Lutheran College, where he received his bachelors and Masters Degree in education with a secondary teaching credential. He played football both years while attending Cal Lu graduating in 1971. Rick began his teaching and football-coaching career back at his alma mater, Rosemead High. He coached at Moorpark College from 1974 until 1 977; was assistant football coach at Newbury Park High School from 1978 until 1983. In 1984 he received his first head football position at Hart High School in Newhall, where he lead his team to the CIF-SS Northwestern Conference Championship in 1986. In 1988 he became the head football coach at Buena High School in Ventura, where he lead his teams to the CIF-SS semifinals in 1988 and 1993. His Buena teams won or shared seven Channel League championships. At the end of the 2003 season he resigned as head co ach at Buena High, but very shortly ended his retirement as he became the offensive coordinator at Rio Mesa High School in Oxnard, where his step-son, Bob was named head coach. During this last season of Rick's coaching, the Rio Mesa team had a record setting season of 11 wins, and lost only one game, the night before his death. He spent his life devoted to teaching, coaching and mentoring young people. Rick will be remembered for his zest for life, his humor and quick wit. During the years that Rick coache d and taught, he also refereed basketball for the Channel Coast Officials Association and was an instructional chairman for many years. Rick was a key component to the founding of the Ventura County Football Coaches Association, which has promoted and benefited the programs in our county. Rick will be dearly missed by his wife, Sherry; daughter and son-in-law, Megan and Chris Ruffinelli of Ventura; son Jacob T. Scott, attending the United States Merchant Marine Academy in New York; step-son and daughter-in- law, Bob and Darcy Gregorchuk of Ventura; step-daughter and son-in-law, Julie and Bob McDonough of Ventura; his devoted mother, Gwen Scott of Glendora; sister and brother-in-law, Karen and Ron Cottom of Glendora; grandchildren, Ashlynn and Madalynn Ruffinelli, Gage and Caden Gregorchuk and Carrie and Sarah McDonough all of Ventura; aunts, Carol Wakeman and June Smith; nieces, Brittany Cottom and Stacy Severson; nephew, Travis Cottom and many cousins. Services will be held Thursday, December 2, 2004 at 4:00 pm at Larabee Stadium, Seaward & Poli Street, Ventura, where he spent many Friday nights doing what he loved, coaching young men; teaching them the glory of wining and ability to lose with dignity. The family has established a scholarship fund in Rick's name to benefit Ventura County student athletes and asks that in lieu of flowers memorial donations be made to the Rick Scott Football Scholarship Fund, c/o George Contreras, Ventura County Coaches Association, 249 Calle Higuera, Camarillo, CA 93010. Arrang ements are under the direction of the Ted Mayr Funeral Home, 3150 Loma Vista Road, Ventura.