John Phillip Scott was born on June 7, 1930 in Clayton, New Mexico. He graduated from Clayton High School in 1948 as a proud 4-year letter winner for the Clayton Yellowjacket Football Team. John enlisted in the United States Army at the beginning of the Korean Conflict. From 1950-1953 he served as Battalion Sergeant Major in the 14th Regimental Combat Team and Regimental Sergeant Major of the 11th Armored Cavalry at Camp Carson in Colorado Springs, rising to the highest rank possible for an enlisted soldier. He also served in the Armored Security Detachment in Bremerhaven, Germany. While stationed in Germany, John played football for the Post team. He was also selected as the outstanding enlisted man at the Bremerhaven Port of Embarkation.

Upon his discharge, John used his G.I Bill benefits to attend the University of New Mexico, earning a Bachelors in Business Administration while also working full time at the Albuquerque Publishing Company and the Atomic Energy Commission.

In 1957, John enrolled in law school at the University of Tulsa. While attending night classes at TU, he worked as an accountant at Amerada Hess Corporation. During his law school career he was active in student affairs, serving as the President of the Student Bar Association and participating for three years in the Moot Court Competition. Reflecting his leadership talent and ability to bring people together, he was selected as the outstanding advocate, was named to the Moot Court Team, and competed nationally for TU. John received his Juris Doctorate from TU College of Law in 1961. He was honored by the law school as the outstanding law student for his graduating class, received the West Publishing Company Award for the highest grade point average, and the John Rogers Constitutional Law Award.

John began practicing civil trial law in Tulsa in 1961. He later founded partnerships with Gudgel, Winn, & Scott; Gudgel & Scott, and Savage, O'Donnell, Scott, McNulty, Affeldt, & Associates. His colleagues describe him as the best coach they ever had, the glue that held their teams together, the example to follow in the pursuit of self-actualization. John retired from his practice with Scott & Gentges in 2005. He was a member of the Tulsa County Bar Association, the Oklahoma Trial Lawyers Association, the American Bar Association, and the American Trial Lawyers Association. He remained a proud member of the Oklahoma Bar Association and the American Civil Liberties Union until 2022.

Whether in the courtroom, on the ranch, or on the baseball field, his work ethic and his pursuit of happiness were intertwined, unmatched, and contagious for those who he loved, raised, and coached. He will be remembered for his enduring commitment to justice and equality, his diligent preparation and dedicated advocacy on behalf of his clients, his rare ability to connect with and inspire his colleagues, players, and family, his sharp sense of humor, and his abiding and boundless love for his family and friends.

John is preceded in death by his parents Joseph and Zelma Scott, his brother Billy Scott, and his sisters Lois Jones, Irene Holt, and Fonda Kear. He is survived by his wife Donna Jean Begley Scott, his children Gerald (Jerry) Scott, Jason and Christine Scott, and Amy Scott and Germaine Fairchild; his grandchildren Jennifer and Rick Pendergrass, Lydia Scott and Michael Wagnon, Jaycei Scott, and Jordan Scott; his great grandchildren Colton and Hailey Pendergrass, Sydney Wagnon, Caden Pendergrass; his many beloved nieces, nephews, and friends.

A visitation will be held at the Palmer Marler Funeral Home, 119 W. Main Street, Oilton, Oklahoma on Saturday, April 2nd from 2pm-8pm, with family greeting friends from 2-3pm. A memorial service will be held at a later date.