Gary Scott

Left to right, Mike DeEmilio, Gary Scott, Bill LaRue, Mac Fleming

Along with his family, friends, and community, the BMWE is mourning the sudden loss of one of its finest, Gary A. Scott, who suffered a massive heart attack and died on June 7, 1998, in Odessa, Missouri. Scott, age 43, is survived by his wife Janice, two children and five grandchildren.

A 24-year member of the BMWE, Scott had served the union (Subordinate Lodge 662) in various capacities. Elected to the position of Missouri State Legislative Director in 1994, Scott was honored last year as Outstanding Legislative Director for his dedicated work on behalf of the membership in the political arena.

Scott was also active in local politics and served as a delegate to the historic Labor Party Founding Convention in 1996. While discussing ways to increase donations to the Maintenance of Way Political League (MWPL), Scott came up with the idea of using an old metal bucket he had to take to meetings for collections. He is shown with that "trusty traveling MWPL bucket."

As one of the three co-founders and the first president of the United Coalition of Greater Kansas City (comprised of members from 19 subordinate lodges), Scott was a moving force behind the success of the Coalition in fostering solidarity and education of its members. In one of the photos with this article, Scott is shown at the seventh annual picnic of the Coalition held in August 1997. The picnic is just one of several events the Coalition holds every year which provides useful information mixed with a heavy dose of fun.

In addition to all these activities, Scott also found time to meet with friends, fish, coach football, head up an annual Odessa barbeque, and work for Norfolk Southern, his last position being a foreman on a surfacing gang. He will be greatly missed.