Dad always said they broke the mould when he was born and after all these years we realize he was right.
Meredith Samuel Scott (Sam) was born March 10, 1938 in Kamloops, BC, to Norman Thomas Scott and Isabella Anderson Forsyth Watson Scott.
On December 26, 2020, after what he often referred to as “a great life”, Sam passed away suddenly in his beloved home of 50 years.
Sam was predeceased by his father, Norman Scott (1945), mother, Isabella Scott (1990), sister, Maureen Baerg (1997) and granddaughter, Jenna Wills (2002).
He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Lois, his children, Brenda (Jeff) Wills, Darrell, and Kevin (Ann) Scott of Kamloops. He will be remembered by his grandchildren, Brooke, McKenzie, Lane, and Brett Wills, Logan (Nicola Tabata) and Ethan Scott.
Sam was a proud North Kamloops man, living his whole life on the North Shore. Sam’s family owned S.S. Scott & Sons ice business, where they harvested ice blocks from the South Thomson River and local lakes for the delivery to the residents of Kamloops. Sam’s family owned various properties throughout Kamloops, including the former icehouses near Pioneer Park and property along the north shores of the Thompson River, where his family home stands to this day.
Sam was a career firefighter for the North Kamloops Fire Department beginning in October of 1965. After the amalgamation of the city, he continued with Kamloops Fire & Rescue and retired as Assistant Fire Chief in June 1996.
Family was most important to Sam. In the early family days, many miles were put on his 1965 yellow GMC pickup and Vanguard camper, travelling with friends and family throughout BC. All three of his children learned to drive in that yellow truck and the family still owns it to this day. As his children grew up, many summer days were spent either boating on the South Thompson River or camping at the Cinnemousun Narrows on Shuswap Lake. Many hours were spent floating in the boat as he taught his kids how to waterski and enjoy his goofy jokes. In the winter months, Sam would build a skating rink in the backyard, and each morning he would get up early to flood the rink, making sure it was perfectly smooth for his children and the neighbourhood kids to enjoy. The odd puck, breaking a window, was testament to a good time on the ice.
Sam loved to putter in his garden and many meals were filled with the vegetables that he grew in his backyard. Sam and Lois enjoyed home canning. Sam would stand for hours in the kitchen peeling peaches or pickling pickles, helping Lois can and process every known fruit and vegetable to man.
He was an avid hockey fan and held season tickets over the years to the Kamloops Rockets, Chiefs, and Blazers. When he couldn’t attend a game in person, he would watch from his home computer.
Sam’s home was always welcoming and he opened and invited many to stay if needed. For many years his home was bustling with activity from the junior hockey players they billeted with the Kamloops Rockets and Chiefs in the 1970’s, to the many nieces and nephews that were always welcome to stay or share a meal with Uncle Sam and Auntie Lois.
In retirement, Sam and Lois bought a motorhome and travelled across Canada and to Alaska. Sam loved planes, trains, and automobiles and they stopped at every train and plane museum he could find. Poor Lois. They had a wonderful trip and were able to reconnect with many family members in Saskatchewan and Ontario.
Sam was a man of many talents and was able to fix and build many things. He helped renovate houses, build furniture, and used his skills as a former auto body repairman and his mechanical ability to restore his mom’s 1961 Pontiac Tempest. Sam put in extra hours working on the Tempest to get the car ready for his grandson, Ethan, to drive at his graduation. He took great pride in showing the car in the Easter parade and at Hot Night in the City.
Sam was devoted to his grandchildren. He would be at the arenas for early morning hockey games and would travel long distances to watch his granddaughters’ rodeo, and his favourite horse, Cactus, compete. Sam was able to travel to Red Deer in 2019 and was very proud to see his granddaughter, Brooke, win the Canadian Barrel Racing title. It truly was his last rodeo.
Sam was kind and patient, and always had something interesting to talk about.
He truly felt he was fortunate and enjoyed the simple things in life. He was a glass “half full” kind of guy. He had an amazing memory of days gone by and could tell you anything you wanted to know about Kamloops. Sam often referred to the area as “God’s Country” and he truly believed it was. He loved to talk about his adventures growing up in Kamloops involving his family and friends. He loved to share his knowledge of the people and area. Everyone will miss listening to his stories and spending time with him. Thank you for being a wonderful husband, father and grandfather. Until we meet again, we love you and will miss you.
The family would like to thank Dr. Cribb for her care and kindness. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Sam’s memory, to the Kamloops Fire & Rescue Charitable Society.
Due to COVID, there is no service planned at this time.
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