A “Genuine Pillar of Our Community” has died. Scott Alan Hetrick, son of William Earl Hetrick and Patricia Golden, passed away of natural causes at his home in Snellville, Georgia on Sunday April 6th, 2025. Born July 12, 1967 in New Castle, Pennsylvania, Scott demonstrated at a very early age his remarkable ability to understand mechanical items by disassembling his toys, repairing, and rebuilding them. His father, William, was an expert mechanic and machinist, and therefore a tremendous inspiration and influence in Scott’s life.

     His family moved from Pennsylvania to Phoenix, Arizona during his teenage years. During those years in junior high, high school, and vocational college, he had many endeavors and side jobs, further honing his mechanical skills and abilities. Scott was enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve from 1987 – 1989. This challenging commitment further strengthened his Self-Discipline, his Determination, and his Core Values.

     In 1994 Scott moved to Atlanta, Georgia where he found many opportunities to further his career as a professional mechanic, especially with transmission repair. Always progressing in knowledge, abilities, skill level, and a massive tool collection, he quickly acquired a very respected reputation amongst mechanics and in the transmission repair community.

     The description of Scott, by his brother Aaron William Hetrick, describes his essence of life so well :

“Scott was a mechanic, a machinist, a mold-maker, a fabricator, an engineer, a designer, a craftsman, a problem solver, a creator, a motorcycle racer, a restoration specialist, a mentor, a musician, a lover of animals, helper of those in need, a pioneer and a legend.”

“Scott left Improvement everywhere he went.”

     Always striving to expand his business, in 1997 he and co-owner Mark “KZ” Karazulas invested in, and started Transplant Transmission Inc. in Norcross, GA. With expert help from his brother Aaron, and long time friend Todd Strauss, the Transplant team of four thrived in the Atlanta transmission business for 4 years. Scott made the decision to eliminate many business overhead expenses in 2001, and moved toward a transmission business that was based from his home. Working from a home based facility, Scott continued to grow his company, and his reputation as a master mechanic in Atlanta.

     Outside of his work, Scott began a relationship with Amy Wilson, and on October 8, 2005, they were married. He and Amy enjoyed many years together, however, both made the mutual decision to part ways and were amicably divorced in 2013.

     In 2016, Scott had the opportunity to reunite with the woman that he fell in love with, back in Phoenix, when he was in his 20’s. Kristin Ann Colby moved to Georgia to be with Scott in September 2016 and their love was rekindled. On April 20, 2019 they were very happily married.

     Kristin and Scott shared all the same interests and were inseparable. They enjoyed a blissful marriage together for over 5 years, but on July 31, 2024 an unimaginable tragedy struck. Kristin passed away, unexpectedly, in his arms, from a pulmonary embolism. Scott Hetrick was heartbroken to his core, remained as strong as possible, but never fully recovered emotionally from the loss of his “Sweetheart”, Kristin.

     He is survived by his brother Aaron William Hetrick, his uncle Ed Golden, half- sister Kimberly Marlatt, stepdaughter Nora Zahri, and step granddaughters Penelope Tarallo, and Madeline Tarallo. 

     Scott is also survived by the innumerable people, locally, nationally, even internationally, whose lives he touched, and who will miss him tremendously. Scott was a “Legend of the Brotherhood of Transmission Specialists” and his loss will resonate amongst all of the professional clients that had the privilege to work with, and learn from him. He was a teacher to many, an inspiration, an intense but yet fair man; infinitely knowledgeable, compassionate, talented, and strong.

                                                 Farewell Scott Alan Hetrick. (July 12, 1967 – April 6, 2025)   

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