Henry Howard Scott, passed away peacefully and with dignity on March 26, 2011 after a brief illness.  Howard was born in Russell County, Kansas on February 8, 1924 to Jessie (Herron) Scott and Allen Ray Scott.  He graduated from Russell High School in 1942. 

Howard was a WW II veteran, a member of the Greatest Generation.  He enlisted in the U.S. Naval Air Corps in 1943 where he flew as a radioman/gunner on a B-24 Liberator Bomber based in Brazil and England. He and his crew members hunted German submarines out on the open ocean. He was honorably discharged in 1946.

Howard returned to Russell County after his military service where he began his lifelong connection with farming and ranching.  On October 17, 1948, he married Vernita Bartlett and together they continued farming and ranching.  To this union were born four children: Vickie, Rhonda, Greg and Denise.  Howard and Vernita moved to Russell, Kansas in 1981.  Despite living in town, Howard leased a few acres outside of Russell where he raised a few head of cattle maintaining his passion for the outdoors.  Howard was preceded in death by Vernita in June, 2004 after fifty-five years of marriage.

Howard married Vicki Dougherty on April 22, 2006.  Howard continued his enthusiasm for the outdoors with Vicki by landscaping their Russell home. He spent countless hours on their back patio sipping coffee and watching the birds.  Howard worked part-time for the Russell Livestock Commission from 1948 to 2000.  He was a fifty year member of the Paradise Pitch Club.  He was an avid reader of western novels and loved to work crossword puzzles.  He enjoyed spending time with his siblings and shared coffee many mornings with his oldest brother Rich.  Howard was a member of the American Legion, VFW, and the Elks Lodge. 
Howard was a true patriot who loved his country. His greatest legacy was his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He never met a stranger and he shared his talents and riches freely with others.  His connection to the earth, what it produces, and the life it sustains will always be remembered.

He is survived by his second wife, Vicki (Dougherty) Scott of Russell, Kansas; daughter, Vickie Elliott (husband Kendall) of Russell, Kansas; daughter, R. Lee Burkholder (husband Jeff) of Columbus, Ohio; son, Greg Scott (wife Debbie) of Salina, Kansas; Denise Hahn (husband Chris) of Olathe, Kansas; fourteen grandchildren; and fifteen great grandchildren.  Howard also has five siblings surviving: Richard Scott, Bessie Maranville, Ruth Bartlett, Don Scott and Carol Murphy. 
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Vernita, his parents, a brother Glenn Scott, and a sister, Mary Ann (Scott) Melasecca.

A celebration of Howard’s life will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Wednesday, March 30, 2011 at the Paradise United Methodist Church in Paradise, Kansas with Pastor Sharon Thomas officiating.  Burial will follow at the Mt. Hermon Cemetery in rural Paradise.  Visitation will be from 9 A.M. to 8 P.M. on Tuesday, March 29, 2011 at the mortuary with family present to greet guests from 6 P.M. to 7 P.M. Tuesday evening.  Memorial contributions can be given to the Russell County Veterans Memorial Flag Fund and sent in care of the mortuary.  Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.