David James Scott

David James Scott was born on May 29, 1976 to Dale and Candy Scott and big brother Danny. His appearance in the world was fast and furious as they barely made it to the hospital for his arrival. His love of building started early with elaborate forts in the trees and more than a few of Dale’s tools are still missing in the forest. GT snow racers behind the quads in the winter with the cousins yielded some epic stories and David loved games of any kind, especially with his beloved grandparents. He displayed early his natural compassion for his people, responsibilities and leadership as he adopted the role of watching out for his big brother when Danny was ill, in addition to all the chores of a farm kid. Fun family time consisted of baseball and skiing and long weekends at the lake. As teenagers, the brothers learned a lot of life lessons in the barnyard. If the Friday night festivities may have caused a headache the next morning, Dale knew the time was right for the pigpen to be cleaned. Candy fondly remembers how David loved snack trays and picnics and at a very young age took it upon himself to create the snack tray that was needed for a family gathering, while Candy and Dale were needed with Danny in the city. The thoughtfulness and creativity he put into the snack trays showed his care for his family and guests early on and he always remembered everyone’s favorites. The snack tray tradition continued throughout the years, and his kids remember his snack tray and movie nights so fondly.

David attended all his schooling in Cremona, Kindergarten through Grade 12, graduating in 1994. He then attended Mount Royal College, taking many different classes and settling on his favorite, Marketing. During those college years, Dale, Candy, Danny, Olivia, David and Shera started Scott Specialty Meats, which was family ran very successfully until Danny’s passing in 1999. It was a full-fledged family business and David was in charge of the marketing, but jumped in with every aspect of the business wherever he was needed (including making jerky, running trade shows and delivering products to local towns). In his last semester (early 1998), he landed his first outside job in the marketing field with Aldrich Controls in Sundre and decided to leave MRC to get out into the working world with his new position. He worked there for about a year and then decided to take on a position at the Harmattan Gas Plant as an operator/summer student. He soon realized that shift work was not his favorite and in August of 1999, he became business partners with Milton Sanders in Didsbury and Scott Financial became his main focus. 20 years into that successful career, he decided to shift gears, and Mountain Water Concepts International as well as Elements to Sustainable Energy were born. These companies have been his focus for the past six years, and he was so proud that his family was as invested in the companies’ success as he was.

David started dating Shera in May of 1993. Their favorite dates were going to the movies and rollerblading, as well as hanging out with their families. David proposed to Shera in August of 1996 while rollerblading, as he had written “Will You Marry Me?” on the sidewalk and covered it with some dirt, to later get down on one knee and wipe the dirt away to pop the question. They were married the following summer on July 12, 1997. Damon Jace was born July 18, 1999, Ashlyn Paige followed on January 25, 2001 and lastly Shayla Brooke was born on January 5, 2003 to complete the family. David and Shera built a house on her family's land in 1998 and still reside there today. The joining of the Robertson and Scott families was extremely seamless, and everyone remains good friends all these years later. David was so fortunate to have a mother and father-in-law who he loved and respected as much as his own parents. As well, in a term of endearment, the Robertson, Scott and Parsons’ families have been called “The Colony” as the proximity allows the families to spend much time together socializing, which they all cherish immensely. David always felt so lucky to have a winter home and a summer home on each of his, and Shera’s family land.

David loved playing fastball on the Westcott Goldenboys team and they had many successful years, both in league play and many tournaments. Shera even drove the entire team to games a few times, borrowing Dale and Candy’s van and adding coolers for the guys to have somewhere to sit. He cherished all the hours that they spent playing and then having a beer while watching the sun go down after their games. David’s other hobbies over the years included rec hockey for a couple of years, men’s night golf in Didsbury (until coaching his kids’ sports became more important) and his favorite hobby was building at the family summer place that became affectionately known as “The River”. For the past 25 years, he added bit by bit to an amazing gathering place that literally got better and better each year with his new additions. We all appreciate him so much for the love and effort he has poured into the perfect place for our family and friends to be together.

Sports were always a huge part of his life, and his best friends today came from who he played and coached with over the years. Besides his love of fastball, he also loved skiing, volleyball, basketball, track and field (he won a Provincial silver medal in pole vault), badminton and more. His true passion was also football, but only got to play flag football at Mount Royal as back then there were no teams in the area. He was able to get his fill by coaching Damon on the Cochrane Lions teams for many years, and then he had to hold his tongue on the bleachers watching the Cochrane High School coaches coach many of the boys that he had helped to love the game as much as he did. He also coached Damon’s lacrosse team, Rockyview Rage, for several years. The girls also played many sports, and he helped coach their softball teams and was an avid fan at many club volleyball tournaments. He also enjoyed Shayla’s lacrosse games, and the Cochrane High School volleyball games, getting to see both compete at the Provincial level. Ashlyn’s team won the first gold medal that Cochrane High volleyball had ever won. The whole family also thoroughly enjoyed skiing, and when David was 16, Dale and Candy insisted he take the ski instructor course to “slow him down”. This skill transferred over when he taught each of his kids to ski, and over the years, many trips were made to Panorama and several other ski hills, with grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends often accompanying them. Fantasy Football was also a love of his and became a full family affair with everyone having their own team, being as competitive with each other as possible.

David and Shera were so fortunate to be able to do some traveling over the last 12 years or so, including Mexico, California, Texas, and some cruises to name a few. His last vacation was a cruise that Shera had some training to do on, and he absolutely loved it. He was planning on cruising that line again and was hoping that his close family and friends would also join them. He also talked about seeing many of the ballparks across the US, following his favorite ball team, the Blue Jays.

David was the guy to lend a hand to anyone. If it was something he could help with, he made sure he was there. The wide net that he had spread across the community can never be measured but we know it was massive. He touched a lot of lives, and we know his memory will live on forever. His amazing and infectious laugh will be remembered always, and we implore you all to laugh often and tell your people you love them as much as you can.

David, we love you and we will miss you…until we meet again.