Carl F. Scott

Carl F. Scott, a Veteran of World War II and lifelong resident of Elwood, Indiana, passed away on November 12, 2024. He was born in Leisure, Indiana, on April 19, 1924, to Roy and Pauline (Groover) Scott, and recently celebrated his 100th birthday surrounded by family, friends, and other servicemen and women.

Carl was an educated man who loved to learn, share knowledge, and exchange life stories with others. He attended College Corner Grade School, a one room schoolhouse, for his first eight years of school and graduated from Elwood High School with the Class of 1942. Just before graduation, Carl's father bought a farm across from Leach School in Anderson, Indiana. His father set clear expectations that Carl would work on the farm, and even though Carl already had a job at Delco Remy, he always helped his father whenever he could. After his dad passed, Carl continued to work for his mother on the farm until he reached 80 years old; proving his work ethic, dedication and willingness to sacrifice for all.

After graduation, so many young men were drafted to join the war effort, and Carl knew he would be called, so he proactively enlisted in the Marine Corps; swearing in on February 4, 1943. First, he went to Boot Camp in San Diego, California, then went to an eight-week Infantry training at Camp Elliott, CA, before being assigned to the 20th replacement battalion; immediately boarding a ship to Melbourne, Australia. There he was assigned to B Company, 7th Marines, The Famous 1st Marine Division where he spent several months of training at Mount Martha.

Carl's first landing was in Cape Gloucester, a tortuous assignment with unimaginable conditions where Marines were wet for months at a time because the area received over 100 inches of rain each year. Carl continued to serve our Country, even after developing Malaria, enduring more combat situations, and seeing many friends and fellow Marines lose their lives fighting for our freedom. In fact, Carl was one of 200 Marines at the Battle of Peleliu; a 30-day battle that sent only 12 service men home who weren't killed or wounded.

After returning home from the service, Carl attended Purdue University on the GI Bill; receiving his BS in 1951 and his Master's Degree in Education in 1956. Carl's first teaching position was at Wheatfield Junior and Senior High School where he also worked as a FFA advisor. Later he taught Vocational Ag, Biology and General Science at Windfall Junior and Senior High and continued as a FFA advisor. Four years later, he took a teaching position at Walnut Grove Junior and Senior High.

Carl continued to grow professionally, accepting a position as the Assistant State Supervisor of Agriculture Education. He was the Executive Secretary and Treasurer of the FFA. He was the founder of the FFA Foundation and the Young McDonald's Farm (aka: FFA Pavilion) at the State Fair. In 2019, he was invited to a banquet and honored as the founder of the FFA Foundation.

Carl had an extremely accomplished life while serving our country, and should be honored by recognizing some of his most prestigious accomplishments. Most recently, on September 12, 2024, he was awarded the Sagamore of the Wabash Award, the highest award given by the Governor in the State of Indiana.

While serving our country on June 6, 1945, Carl took a bullet to his helmet and survived, but shrapnel injured his right shoulder. While in a hospital in Guam for treatment, he was treated with penicillin (which was newly developed) every four hours.

Carl was active in the Marine Division Association, and they have a reunion every year; Carl attended 48 of the annual reunions. He served as the Director of the 1st Marine Division Association for 22 years, and in 1978, he was elected as the National Vice President of the Division and as the Chairman of the Reunion in Louisville, KY.

Carl received many medals, including a Purple Heart, the Presidential Unit Citation (Peleliu-Okinawa), the Navy Unit Commevetion (for combat service), medal for Good Conduct, an American Campaign medal, Asiatic Pacific medal, and a WWII Vitmed 4 Stars - New Guina, Cape Gloester, Peleliu, Okinawa.

On Carl's 89th birthday, he was privileged with the opportunity to take the Honor Flight, and in 2021, he was one of eight to attend "Last of the First", an event that took place in Carlsbad, CA, to open a one-hundred-year-old bottle of cognac that was preserved to be opened by the last of the 1st Marine Corps Division Marines.

Carl worked with some outstanding people throughout his lifetime. He often recalled working at Ivy Tech College where he received their "Impact" Award in 2018 for starting a campus near Sellersburg, IN, before retiring in 1986. After retiring from Ivy Tech at the age of 62, Carl resumed playing basketball at the YMCA, and he continued to play until he was 80 years old. Some of his younger competition thought they wouldn't need to guard him, but he proved them wrong...after all, he had a good shot!

Carl was a dedicated member of the East Main Street Christian Church since he was 10 years old. He was a 10-year member of 4-H and became a 4-H leader in agriculture for several years. He was active in Boy Scouts and was one badge away from receiving his Eagle Scout honors. He received two awards from different Governors, and actively participated in his high school reunions, most recently attending his 82nd reunion alongside two of his living classmates. Carl was an avid and successful golfer and was the oldest player of the State Seniors Golf Association as well as the oldest member of the Elwood Elks.

Carl was awarded life memberships to the 1st Marine Division Association, Marine Corps League, Disabled American Vets, the Masons - Quincy League, Scottish Rite, NRA, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Purple Heart Association.

Carl is survived by his daughter, Janet (husband Wes) Smith of Fishers; two sons, Randy Scott of Anderson and Neal (wife Elizabeth) Scott of Cicero; step children, Marshall "Brigg" Sherman and Julie Frazier; sister, Barbara Emenhiser; six grandchildren; six great-grandchildren;and one great-great-grandson; so many dear friends, associates, golfing buddies and basketball teammates.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his first wife Betty (Townsend) Scott who passed in 1993, his second wife, Evangeline (Nash) Scott who passed in 2017, a son, David Scott , and a sister Betty L. Scott.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, November 19, 2024, from 10:00 am to 1:30 pm, at East Main Street Christian Church, 1801 Main St., Elwood, IN 46036. The funeral service celebrating Carl's life will begin at 1:30 pm, Tuesday with Rev. Roger Gardner officiating. Burial will follow in the Elwood Cemetery with military graveside services conducted by the US Marine Corps and the Elwood VFW Honor Guard.

Dunnichay Funeral Home is honored to care for Carl and the Scott families.

In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to the Indiana FFA Foundation, PO Box 9, Trafalgar, IN 46181, (www.inffa.org), in memory of Carl.

Online condolences may be shared at www.dunnichayfuneralhome.com.