Walter Scott Jr.

Walter “Skez” Scott Jr. was born January 27, 1930 in Seattle Washington and passed away on January 23, 2015 in Port Orchard Washington with his wife, Kari and family by his side. Born to Walter S. Scott and Isabella (Liddle) Scott, he had three sisters: Peggy, Betty and Grace; one brother Ralph, one half-brother Harold Scott and one half-sister Merle Graves. He was educated at the Summit school in Seattle, Harstine Island's “one room” schoolhouse; Belfair Grade School and Junior High School and South Kitsap High School. As a young man, he was a talented athlete and played baseball alongside many other men of the community in the old Peninsula League.

Walter was first dubbed “Skez” by his mother's youngest sister Aunt Grayce because as a child he loved to play in the alley behind Seattle's Marion Apartments where his father fixed cars as one of his jobs during the Great Depression. Aunt Grayce saw little Walter with grease all over his face one day and said, “You look just like Skeezix from the Gasoline Alley comic strip!” They later shortened it to Skez and it stuck. He would eventually become known to just about everyone as “Grandpa Skez.”

Drafted in 1951, he spent two years in the United States Army from 1951-1953 during the Korean War. His basic training was in Fort Belvoir, Virginia. He left for Japan from Pier 91 in Seattle and spent the majority of his army career entertaining the troops by playing Football and Baseball throughout Japan along with his regular duties. He also served as a prison guard on the ship home in March 1953 and was then honorably discharged as a Private First Class at Fort Lewis Washington for serving his contract in full. After two years in the service, Skez surprised his parents by landing—in a seaplane—at the county dock by their home, throwing his duffle bag onto the dock, then walking up to the house. On Christmas Day 2014, before his family, his commendable military service was honored and he was formally presented with all of his service medals in a commemorative shadowbox.

He began working in the woods as a teenager alongside his father and continued logging upon his return from the army in a joint-venture with his brother Ralph and brother-in-law Carl Mattus in Scott-Mattus-Scott Logging Company. They continued working together for the remainder of their logging careers. As a family venture, he also owned land and did land development.

Skez and his beloved wife Kari were introduced in 1953 and married in 1954 and were married over 60 years. They had four children: Sandra, Kenneth (Sharon), Richard (Ping) and Russell (Amanda), and five grandchildren: Kristina (Trenton), Matthew (Terra), Michael, Emmett and Travis. He is survived by all of them. He is also survived by cousins, nieces and nephews including Mark (Elizabeth) Anderson, Carl (Olena) Graves; Carolyn Planakis, Larry (Anita) Scott, Carol Leuning, Nancy (Jerry) Rettig. Sally, Susan, Gary and Tom Scott and favorite sister-in-law Helene Watkins. He was preceded in death by his parents Walter and Isabella as well as all of his siblings: Peggy (Alvin), Betty (Carl), Grace (Bob) and Ralph (Wanda); half-sister Merle and half-brother Harold.

Skez was always very proud of all his family. His children and grandchildren were his world.

Skez had a dry sense of humor and a masterful ability to tell the same joke again and again, changing the beginning so only the punchline was familiar. Understated, he was a constant support for his children and grandchildren, spending much of his time on the sidelines, sitting on a bleacher, clapping in the audience. Skez found great enjoyment in the moments he spent watching them shine. He loved classic country music and the outdoors and always placed his family's needs above all else. He was the best father and grandfather in the world. His friends and business associates always described him as being the most honest and decent man they knew. An excellent driver and avid outdoorsman, he taught everyone how to drive, chop wood and throw a baseball. As a good steward of the land he loved so dearly, he had always dreamed of developing his family's land into a public park to be preserved for generations to come. Before his death, he was informed of the new road to be named after him on Harstine Island: Walter Scott Drive. His lifelong dream is finally becoming a reality as his family's Harstine Island property will soon become Washington's newest state park: Fudge Point State Park along with the Scott Beach Property addition to McMicken State Park, leaving a lasting legacy for future generations to come. This was facilitated by Walter's children to honor his wishes.

As the gentle patriarch of the Scott family, Walter was a constant pillar of strength, support and stability for his wife, children and grandchildren. Our family will never be the same without him and his signature wit and wisdom. He will be missed dearly by all who knew him.

Upon his request, no formal services are planned. Obituary may be viewed in full at rill.com. Memorial donations may be made to the Trust for Public Lands. TPL.org or Mason County Fire District 2, P.O. Box 277, Belfair, WA 98528.