Ray Scott passed away peacefully on August 2nd, 2021 in St. Bernard’s Hospice Care after living an extraordinary life of 91 years. He was born on November 1st, 1929 in Fontaine, Arkansas.
On August 30, 1952, Ray married Laveda Songer Scott. They were married almost 69 years. They are survived by two daughters, Cathy Holman (Rick) and Cindy Logan (Scott);
three grandchildren: Kelli Cochran (Jason), Katie Potter, Chris Logan (Hannah); and
three great grandchildren: Caden and Claire Cochran and Ella Grace Potter
Ray is preceded in death by parents, Tom and Mary Elizabeth; brothers, Caraway Scott, Thomas Scott, Larry Scott, Joe Scott, Floyd Scott, Lloyd Scott, Bill Scott; and his sisters, Lena Childers and Nora Thompson.
Ray had a passion for basketball, and he was blessed with talent and a hard work ethic. He played basketball at Leachville High School where he was honored with an all-state award, and he continued to play while attending Arkansas State University for four years.
Ray was drafted by the Detroit Pistons but instead was drafted into the Air Force during the Korean War. He played basketball on the Air Force team where he received the Air Force Great Plains Award and was recognized as the top player for four years in a row. After the Korean War, he was drafted by the Lakers, but since he had developed a lung disease, he was not eligible to play.
He received the Neil Martin Gibson Victory Trophy Award, which is an award given to one independent basketball player for the whole state of Arkansas and was named the top amateur athlete in Arkansas. He received this award when he was coaching in Luxora.
His love of basketball allowed him to further impact others through coaching at Luxora, being Athletic Director at the Boys and Girls Club in Little Rock, and coaching at Union City TN, Valdosta, GA, Bay, Westside, Greene County Tech, Hoxie, and Walnut Ridge. His legacy of basketball lives on in the lives of many. Not only was he an amazing athlete and coach, but he was an incredible husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. He was also an inspiration to others as a Christian man. We are saddened by his loss but know that there was a beautiful reunion in heaven with family members who preceded him and with his Heavenly Father.
Funeral Service will be Thursday, August 5, 2021 at 11 A.M. in the Bryan Chapel with Rev. Beth Perdue officiating. Pallbearers will be Jason Cochran, Ricky Holman, John, Randy, Wesley and Mike Scott. Honorary Pallbearers are all of Coach Scott’s former Basketball players. Interment will follow in the Lorado Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 10 A.M. till 11 A.M. Thursday.
Family request face masks and social distancing to be worn during the services.