The Excelsior Standard, July 25, 2025

Ross Scott

Ross Tillman Scott, 98, of Excelsior Springs passed away peacefully July 16, 2025, at home following a short illness. Ross was the only son of Ralph Tillman “Jatney” Scott and Tressie “Tess” Scott. He grew up in Athelstan, Iowa; and Grant City. In 1945, he graduated high school and was drafted into the U.S. Army, serving until November 1946. He completed a second tour of duty during the Korean War from 1951 to 1953.

Following his military service, Ross attended Northwest Missouri State University, where he played basketball and baseball. When the university launched its baseball program in 1956, Ross batted an impressive .526 during its inaugural season.

Ross pursued a successful career in insurance sales and had his best year in the industry during his 80s – a testament to his ability to sell one on the benefits of life insurance and annuities!

A passionate sports fan, Ross especially loved boxing, baseball, football and basketball. He had an encyclopedic memory for sports statistics and player histories. He relished taking his friend Bennie, along with his greatgrandsons and anyone else he could recruit, to Northwest Missouri State Bearcats football games.

Ross also enjoyed the outdoors, particularly fishing and hunting with his friends and his beloved son Todd.

In later years, Ross was a proud and loyal member of the Excelsior Springs “Old Codger Coffee Club,” which met every weekday morning at The Elms or Daylight Donuts for coffee and conversation. The family extends heartfelt thanks to Mark for ensuring Ross got to and from those gatherings safely.

Ross was preceded in death by his wife, Bunnie Jo (Ewart) Scott; and his only son, Todd Scott.

He is survived by his daughters, Suzanne Scott (Mark Baxter) and Judy Heiffus; granddaughter, Stephanie Heiffus; two great-grandsons, Ellis Egger and Henry Burns (Abigail); four great-great-grandchildren, Charlotte, Genevieve, Maximilian and Elizabeth Burns; beloved nephew, Dan Ewart (Doreen); and cherished dog, Abbey.

Services will be held July 28 at the Hidden Valley Funeral Home of Excelsior Springs, with visitation at 2 p.m., followed by the ceremony at 3.