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In memory of

Tom Scott

Eugene, OR, USA

September 24, 1937 - December 25, 2018

Sep 24, 1937 - Dec 25, 2018

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On the evening of December 25, 2018, Thomas Frierson Scott passed away peacefully in his sleep at the age of 81 after a joyful Christmas celebration with his family.

Tom was born September 24, 1937 in Jacksonville Florida to Mae and Robert Scott. He talked often of his carefree life as a child growing up in sunny Florida, swimming, riding his bike and playing outside until dark. He had fond memories of delivering newspapers on his bike and working in the local movie theater where he could see all the movies for free!

Tom graduated from the University of Florida with a degree in Civil Engineering and spent his life planning projects and fixing things. Always destined to be an entrepreneur, Tom opened his own company soon after college, selling and installing glass doors and windows in the Jacksonville area. That eventually led to building and installing solar water heating systems, making the solar panels for the systems since they were not available yet.

Having fallen in love with the Oregon coast and Willamette Valley on a vacation trip, Tom relocated his young family to Eugene in the summer of 1977, packing all their belongings and 4 young kids in a Volkswagen Camper Van and driving across the country. Tom always said he was a true native Oregon hippie that was just accidently born in Florida!

Settling his family into an old farm house near Junction City, Tom began searching for the perfect property on which to build a passive solar home. He found it in 40 acres up the McKenzie River, south facing with a year-round creek and some river frontage; it was perfect. The family camped on the property one entire summer while Tom and a group of friends built his beloved Mountain House. It was the epitome of Tom, built entirely of salvaged and recycled materials, passive solar and off the grid. Tom poured his heart and soul into that cabin, perfecting it and sharing it with many friends over the next 35 years. Tom spent countless happy days there sitting on the deck in the evening, sipping a scotch on the rocks, watching the bats swoop over the meadow and enjoying the quiet. A part of his soul will always rest there, basking in the sun.

Upon arriving in Eugene, Tom discovered that no one was doing anything with solar in the state so he set about using his southern charm and delightful southern accent to convince Oregonians that solar energy worked in Oregon! Over the years, Tom owned or was a partner in four solar businesses in Eugene, opening his first solar business, Energia, in the late 1970’s in an old house on 6th street. He was a partner in Sage Advance, manufacturing, marketing and installing a passive solar water heater called the Copper Cricket. It caused quite a stir in solar circles all over the country after it was featured in Popular Mechanics magazine. Later, he was a partner in the Energy Service Company in Eugene, selling and installing all manner of solar and radiant floor heating systems. Tom was called out of retirement to help establish the Green Store, again selling and installing solar and radiant floor heating.

Tom was active in many solar organizations both on the local and state level. He was involved in Willamette Valley Solar Energy Association and OSEIA for many years. He advocated for solar tax credits and solar businesses and installers at the state legislature and the Oregon Department of Energy. He touted the merits of solar tirelessly and often, never giving up until he got results. Whether it was a limited solar plumbing license or residential solar tax credits, he was not a man to take no for an answer! Tom spent his life advocating for a solar future where solar energy was the norm and available to everyone.

Tom began teaching solar energy at Lane Community College in the late 70’s, even teaching people how to build their own solar water heating systems, some of which are still operating. Tom helped to establish the Energy Management program at LCC, teaching in the program and serving on the advisory board for many years.

Always a hippie at heart, Tom started attending the Oregon Country Fair about 1981 when he was called upon to help fix the solar showers in Energy Park. He quickly spotted the problem, fixed it and then claimed a prime camping spot behind the solar showers “so he could be close in case something went wrong.” Over the years Tom was a valuable addition to Energy Park, helping to design and build several renditions of the solar showers and always imparting his solar wisdom to anyone who would listen.

Tom believed in recycling before it was called recycling and didn’t believe in buying anything new unless it was absolutely necessary. He was known for recycling, repurposing and reusing everything. If Tom couldn’t find it at Bring Recycling or scrounge something, he was very disappointed. Tom loved to make beautiful candles out of old used candles and even used the leftover wax and dryer lint to make fire starters – before you could find such ideas on Pinterest. Tom broke out in a rash if he had to buy new lumber – his motto being: Recycle, repurpose, and reuse until it was only good for firewood or compost.

Music was always a large part of Tom’s life. Tom played the piano as well as having a lovely bass voice and almost perfect pitch, also playing drums and flute as a young man. Tom loved jazz best of all, listening to the old favorites and marveling at new young talent. Tom especially liked attending live jazz performances at the University of Oregon where he enjoyed watching young players learn the craft. Tom was especially proud of his granddaughters and great granddaughter for their growing talents in music.

Tom is survived by his wife Sue Jakabosky, his children Justin Scott, Kelly Palmatier (Mike), stepchildren, Aaron Jakabosky (Annie), April Brown (Erik), and Drew Crowder (Sachi) as well as grandchildren, Naomi, Ethan, Natasha, Valarie and Hotaru, three great grandchildren and many friends that he considered family. Tom was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Robert, his daughter, Leigh, and his nephew, Robert.

Tom was a caring and loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and friend. He will be dearly missed. May you always bask in sunshine…

A celebration of life will be held at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Eugene, Saturday, March 2nd, 2019 from 2 – 5 pm. Please join us and share your fondest memories and favorite stories.

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