Scott K. Irani

“My family originated from Azerbaijan, Iran. It’s a beautiful place with green hills and olive trees. I imagine myself there, in a hobbit hut surrounded by my poodles. My grandfather is there and over the hills come my friends, saying heyyyy.”

And so it was that just after 12:30 in the afternoon on Thursday, April 7th, Scotty, with one last breath and surrounded by friends and family, headed to that hobbit hut among those green hills and olive trees. It was a peaceful send-off really…the kind of farewell we all should be so lucky to have.

Scotty was born in Stillwater in 1969, to incredible parents Fred and Claudia Montross. His eyes were bright and his personality even brighter. On Thursday, as she said goodbye to Scotty, singing You Are My Sunshine in his ear, “Mimi” thanked him for teaching her how to be a mom.

Two years after Scotty was born, those lessons came in handy again as the family welcomed Arron (Ari), and the brothers grew both physically and emotionally together. Their relationship was strong but no one could have imagined the strength of that love especially over the last several months of Scotty’s time here.

The boys attended Sapulpa Public Schools where Scotty brought light and laughs to everything he did but especially to both Band and Jazz Band. The stories from long-time friends of his school days are enough to keep you laughing for weeks. Friends also shared memories of church camp and how he always made people feel comfortable and welcome.

Scotty would go on to graduate from OSU with a degree in Hotel and Restaurant Administration. From there he was off to beautiful Rhode Island to attend Johnson & Wells University where he received his Graduate Degree in Culinary Arts. His culinary adventures continued throughout his life and whether cooking with some of greatest chefs in the world or in a friend’s cramped kitchen, Scotty was generous with praise and always curious to learn.

His first job out of grad school was at San Destin Beach Resort where he was the banquet chef. He worked locally as the chef at Applewood’s Restaurant and was a highly-sought chef for private events around the city. He would go on to create his own very successful line of spices and mixes that are still in many of our pantries today. But his last and favorite job was as a personal chef to a family he loved and admired for many years. He considered them family and they him.

Many of OKC’s long-time residents though, remember his restaurant, Scotty’s, in Nichols Hills Plaza. The food was delicious, the atmosphere so comfortable, but it was the relationships with guests and staff that many will remember. George Guy remembers starting to work for Scotty in the Summer of 2000. He said he was “just some punk that hopped from job to job.” Scotty saw something in him, sat him down, and encouraged him to give him a chance. George agreed and never looked back. He said Scotty started as his boss but became a trusted and loving friend. That was Scotty.

There are simply too many highlights to mention in one announcement of Scotty’s journey to that hobbit hut but his contributions to Edible OKC, Oklahoma Magazine, the Community Education Center 612, Cookie’s Thanksgiving in support of Other Options, and his early morning spots on KAUT’s Rise and Shine must be noted. The friendships that were created in these endeavors were life-long and cherished. He touched lives in ways he never knew.

Scotty was a remarkable son, a loving brother, and fiercely supportive friend. But his love and pride for his nephews, Connor and Riley Montross, was simply unmatched. There was not, and will never be, a prouder uncle. Mention their names and those sparkling eyes lit up even brighter. Scotty also felt so lucky to have Ari’s wonderful wife Tirita and bonus nephew and niece Cooper and Jaslynn. Their light and love was a wonderful addition to an already incredible life.

Everyone knows Scotty loved to cook but he was also passionate about writing, family history, art, travel and gardening. In fact, Fred’s last words to his beloved Son on that windy Oklahoma afternoon were simply, “Get the garden started for us”.

So many of the photos shared in recent days have been Scotty with friends and family around the world…skiing, golfing, sipping wine, glamping, cooking, and always, always laughing. His sunny outlook on life, his unique sense of humor, and his deep sense of goodness are apparent in photos from grade school to college to some of the most beautiful vacation spots on earth.

Yes, Scotty’s most-important legacy will be the friendships he sowed, much like that abundant garden. Friends from childhood, friends from college, friends from adulthood-you know who you are and you know how much you meant to him. He said he also cultivated friendships with the incredible doctors, nurses, and staff at OU that walked with him on this journey. Scotty was so grateful for their knowledge, their kindness, and their tenacity over the last several months. His family would also like to extend their deep appreciation to these remarkable caregivers as well.

A celebration of Scotty’s remarkable journey will take place at noon on Saturday, April 30th at The Oklahoma City Museum of Art. A reception will follow that will allow friends and family an opportunity to share their stories and their memories with each other as well. Scotty asked that you think of him with donations to The Winds House, AIDS Walk of Oklahoma City, or 612.

We close this tribute to Scotty’s journey to that hobbit hut with his wise words from August 24th, 2021-

“Listen to your body. Take seemingly innocent signs that persist as something that can be serious. You don’t want cancer. But if it happens to darken your doorstep, you fight like hell! I’ll never pass by someone fighting cancer, or someone who has survived, without giving them a pat on the back. I know what you’re going through and what you’ve fought so hard for to survive. I will always have your back.”