Lakeside resident James Mann “Jim” Scott died May 12, 2012 at the age of 84.
Born June 6, 1927 in Eupora, Mississippi, Scott grew up on a farm, the youngest of seven children. By the age of five, he had taught himself to play the harmonica, and most Saturdays he could be found in town on the post office steps playing for nickels.
Scott played the drums and worked in his father’s meat market during high school. After a stint in the U.S. Navy during World War II and a wedding to Anne Presley of Montgomery, Alabama, he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education from Northwestern University, where he was privileged to study many wind instruments with members of the Chicago Symphony. Later he received a Masters Degree from Mississippi State University.
His first job out of college was as the band director of West Point, Mississippi public schools. He accepted the job over the telephone and was warned that the band was one of the worst in the whole state of Mississippi. Within five years his West Point High School Band was acknowledged as one of the best in the state. During this time, he received the Man of Service Award from the West Point Rotary Club and was voted president of the Mississippi Band Directors’ Association, as well as president of Phi Beta Mu, the national Band Directors’ fraternity.
After 12 years with outstanding high school bands, he was asked to organize the music curriculum at Northeast Mississippi Junior College and over ten years built an outstanding program. Besides being demanding, fair, and extremely musical, Scott was loved and respected by his students, due in large part to the love and respect he showed them. He was proud of his many students who have continued the legacy of music in public schools and universities throughout the United States.
In 1992, Scott and his wife retired to the Lake Chapala area, where they enjoyed a large contingent of loving friends, both local and expatriate. Until very recently, the Scotts volunteered countless hours with Operation Feed, a program providing basic food to needy local families. Scott delivered food packages each week to between 40 and 50 families for 12 years. In 1997, the Scotts were recognized by Lakeside Community Awards for their work with Operation Feed. The program was honored as Project of the Year in 1998. At this time, Operation Feed continues in the hands of Arnie and Rosie Mogseth, Agustin Vasquez, and many other tireless volunteers.
Scott was a member of St. Andrew’s Anglican Church. He served on the Vestry for many years, raised funds for the annual Regalorama with his famous margaritas, and spearheaded a drive to pay off the St. Andrews mortgage.
He is survived by his beloved wife of nearly 60 years, Anne; daughters Nola Jones, Molli McMills, and Cindy Scott; sisters Hazel Hall and Mildred Richard; sons-in-law Bill Fernandez and Bruce McMills; grandsons Casey Fernandez and Alex Holdford; and many nieces and nephews.
Scott, known to his many Lakeside friends as “the harmonica man,” will be greatly missed for his jokes, Cajun cooking, margaritas, and especially for his music.
A celebration of his life will be held at St. Andrew’s Anglican Church in Riberas del Pilar on Saturday, June 23, 11 a.m. Scott’s many friends are invited to attend.