David Randall Scott

Our beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend David Randall Scott, age 85, peacefully passed away January 10 at his home in Sandy, Utah. Dave was born February 12, 1932 in Portland, Oregon, to the late George Lawson and Jennie (Randall) Scott. After high school in Portland and a year at BYU, he served four years (1951-55) as a neuropsychiatric specialist with the US Airforce during the Korean War. He then filled a two-year LDS mission to the Eastern States. Upon his return to BYU he courted Rayna Cooper from Holladay, Utah. On June 26, 1959, they were married in the Salt Lake Temple and then raised four children in their Sandy, Utah, home.
With BS and MS degrees from BYU he completed a 31 year career as a high school LDS seminary instructor—teaching through the 60s at Granite, the 70s at Cottonwood, the 80s at Alta and Hartvigsen Seminaries.
He loved year around outdoor activities with his family. Especially enjoyable were their annual spring outings at Capitol Reef National Park and in their favorite fall hunting campsite high on the Pahvant Mountains. Gatherings around campfires and gazing at star filled night skies were always an inspiring joy. He and Rayna also enjoyed visits to numerous countries on five continents. At age 71 he began 11 years of racing his mountain bike in the Huntsman World Senior Games where he won numerous gold medals. He also, with his wife, enjoyed ping pong among friends at nearby senior centers.
Church callings included scoutmaster, elder’s quorum president, explorer advisor, stake missionary, and many years as gospel doctrine teacher. Together he and Rayna served 2½ years in the Salt Lake Inner-City Mission. In 2009 they were called as transition counselors where they served 7½ years with bishoprics at the Utah State Prison’s Lone Peak men’s facility. Along with their interviewing inmates, Dave also shared in teaching the gospel doctrine class. The men enjoyed his humor as well as his thought-provoking questions. Back in their home ward at age 85, he was called one more time as gospel doctrine teacher. He was especially pleased when his revealing article, “The Book of Jonah: Foreshadowings of Jesus as the Christ,” was published in the October 2014 BYU Studies Quarterly. He was also pleased to be taking his divine witness of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ on into the next life.
He is survived by his loving wife Rayna and their four children David (Ruth Ann) Scott, Preston, ID; Leslie (Merril) Warner, South Jordan, UT; Robert (Leslie) Scott, Riverton, UT; Russell (Teresa) Scott, Austin, TX; 12 grandchildren and 1 great grandson on the way; brother George Chadwick Scott; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his sister Sharon Ostler, her husband David, sisters-in-law Elaine Scott and Marjorie Scott.
Funeral services will be held January 20 at 11:00 a.m. in the Sandy Hillcrest 9th Ward, 915 Peach Blossom Drive (9045 South), Sandy, Utah. Friends may call on Friday January 19 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the church and also prior to services from 10:00-10:45 a.m. Memories may be shared at www.memorialutah.com. Funeral Directors: Memorial Holladay~Cottonwood Mortuary.
Service Information
Viewing January 19, 2018 at 6:00-7:00 PM
Sandy Hillcrest 9th Ward, 915 Peach Blossom Drive, Sandy, Utah





Viewing January 20, 2018 at 10:00 -10:45 AM
Sandy Hillcrest 9th Ward, 915 Peach Blossom Drive, Sandy, Utah





Funeral Service
January 20, 2018 at 11:00 AM
Sandy Hillcrest 9th Ward, 915 Peach Blossom Drive, Sandy, Utah