James C. Scott

James C. Scott of Whitman passed away peacefully in his home on December 21, 2024. He is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Marie, son Jamie Scott and wife Geralyne of Bridgewater, son Philip Scott and wife Rose of Mansfield, and grandsons Ben and Gabe. In addition to family close and extended, he leaves behind many dear friends. James Charles Scott was born July 17, 1940 on a farm in La Jose, Pennyslvania to Laurence and Edna May (Hill) Scott. He was the 2 nd youngest of 15 children.

As a child he worked hard on the family farm, gardening, milking the cow and churning butter with his siblings on the front porch. Being one the youngest, his older sisters would make endless piles of pancakes for everyone before the start of each day. He enjoyed riding the family horse around the farm.

Jim graduated at Cambria High School in Cresson, PA. After graduation, he joined the Air Force and was honorably discharged in 1961. Jim then briefly worked for the FBI in Washington D.C. Following that, he went to Cape Cod to visit his brother, Ronny. During that extended visit, Ronny shared with Jim the truths from the Bible that he himself had learned since becoming one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Jim really began to love what he was learning as he attended meetings with his brother at the Harwich Congregation. After deciding to stay in Massachusetts, Jim lived first in Hull then settled in North Weymouth in 1962. Three people were instrumental in helping Jim study the Bible; Ronny Scott, Frank Zelinski and Al Brigham. He was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses on November 30, 1963 in New Bedford, Massachusetts.

Jim learned basic carpentry from Roy Bacon and over the decades he became a very skilled carpenter. It’s been said that the staircases he built were level, never creaked, and lasted forever. During a Circuit Assembly in the winter of 1964, Jim met the love of his life, Marie Slamin. They had a lively conversation about spiritual things, and this mutual love of God and their faith became the foundation of their relationship. In 1966, Jim and Marie were married in Randolph, with Al Brigham officiating. They welcomed their first son, Jamie in 1969. In 1970 the Scott family moved to Augusta, Maine where they lived for 9 years. While living in Maine they made many close and dear friends that remain so even until now. They then moved across the country to Forest Grove, Oregon. In 1984, they welcomed their second son, Philip. Their years living in Oregon were memorable. Jim was able to work alongside his brother, Ronny, secularly doing carpentry and also in the congregation as elders.

In 1987 the family moved back to Bridgewater, Massachusetts. One of the pleasures he enjoyed as his sons were growing up, was to take a day off from work when they had a day off from school. These were precious times full of laughter and fun. Jim loved to cook a huge, delicious feast for his family and his boys would be so excited when it was a day that their dad was cooking. He was a creative seafood gourmet. His sons remember thoroughly enjoying these days of laughter, good food and playing Cribbage. Philip remembers him teaching him to whittle wood. And on the days when Philip and Ben would work with Jim, he would always take them out to breakfast and lunch.

Jim loved his full-time ministry, but perhaps more than that was his love for people. When one spent time with Jim, he made them feel like they were the most cared about person in the room. Jamie said about his dad “He was someone that could have been the inspiration for the phrase: ‘He would give you the shirt off his back’”. And his son Philip added to that by saying: “If he didn’t have a shirt to give, he’d go out and find one to give.” Marie says that Jim always made sure that she had what she needed or even ever wanted.

Over the years, Jim made many beautiful friendships. He and Marie loved boating with their dear friends Jerry and Debby Keenan and Jim and Patti Kruskall. Through the years living in the Bridgewater area, Jim along with his wife Marie, have helped many to feel loved, encouraged and special. Many consider Jim to be their adoptive brother, dad and grandfather. He was an extremely hard worker, generous by nature. He was a true example of faith and endurance. His love for Jehovah God was something he spoke of all the time. His warm smiling eyes would light up even more whenever he would talk about his God.

Memorial services will be held in a few weeks.