Richard Gordon Scott, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, passed away on September 22, 2015 at his home at the age of 86. He was known for his dedication to his calling as a special witness of Jesus Christ, his creative leadership, irrepresible optimism, and his compassionate concern.
Elder Scott was born November 7, 1928 in Pocatello, Idaho to Kenneth Leroy and Mary Eliza Whittle Scott. He was the second of five sons. The family resided in Kansas City, Missouri, and Washington, D.C. while his father worked in the Department of Agriculture under Ezra Taft Benson.
Elder Scott graduated from George Washington University with a bachelor\s degree in mechanical engineering. While at the university, he met Jeanene Watkins, daughter of Arthur V. Watkins, U.S. Senator from Utah from 1947 to 1959. After dating for three years, Elder Scott was nearing graduation and began to talk about marriage with his sweetheart Jeanene. His father was not a member of the Church and his mother was not active, and he had not given serious thought to serving a mission. Jeanene was a woman of great character and had already set her standards. One evening she stated clearly, "When I marry, it will be to a returned missionary in the temple." Within a few months Elder Scott received a mission call and served in the Uruguay Montevideo mission from 1950 to 1953. His mission was a foundational experience for the rest of his life. After returning home he married his beloved Jeanene in the Manti Utah Temple on July 16, 1953.
Elder Scott served on the immediate staff of Admiral Hyman G. Rickover, often referred to as the father of the nuclear Navy. He played an instrumental role in the development of the reactor core for the first nuclear submarine, the USS Nautilus.
Elder and Sister Scott had three children early in their marriage: Mary Lee, Richard Watkins, and Andrea. Andrea died at birth, and two months later Richard died at age two from congenital heart failure. This was a pivotal moment for Elder and Sister Scott. Instead of becoming bitter or despondent at the loss of their children, they became even more devoted and Christ-centered in their living. Events that transpired as a result of this tragedy led to Elder Scott\s father being baptized and his mother becoming fully active in the Church. Sister Scott was not able to conceive again, so Elder and Sister Scott subsequently adopted four more children Kenneth Watkins, Linda Sallee, David Mitchell, and Michael Watkins, all of whom have been sealed to them in the temple.
Elder Scott served as president of the Argentina Cordoba mission from 1965 to 1969. He was an outstanding leader and highly influential in the lives of his missionaries, many of whom have gone on to serve as local leaders and General Authorities of the Church all over the world.
Elder Scott returned to Washington, D.C. and resumed his career, moving into the field of nuclear power plant development. In 1977 he was called to serve in the First Quorom of the Seventy and moved to Salt Lake City, Utah. Subsequently he presided over regions of Mexico and Central America, and lived in Mexico City with his family from 1978 to 1981. After returning to Utah, he served in various capacities in the Family History and Missionary departments.
Elder Scott was called to serve as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve in October 1988. He was known throughout the Church as a gentle yet powerful teacher. He devoted his life to serving Jesus Christ and touched the lives of millions of people around the world.
He was preceded in death by his beloved Jeanene who passed away in May 1995, his parents Kenneth L. and Mary E. Scott, and his brother K. Wayne Scott. He is survived by his children Mary Lee Call (Bruce), Kenneth Watkins Scott, Linda Sallee Mickle (Monte), David Mitchell Scott, Michael Watkins Scott (Marilyn), his brothers Gerald L. Scott (Betty), Walt C. Scott (Ina), and J. Mitchel Scott (Sue), and sister-in-law Ann Bassett Scott.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, September 28, 2015 in the Salt Lake Tabernacle. There will be no public viewing. The family suggests that contributions be made to the General Missionary Fund of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or a charity of their choice in lieu of flowers.
