James Leroy Scott

Born on August 18, 1934, in Cairo, NE, Jim was the son of John and Alice Scott. While living on the family farm in Cairo, NE, Jim made a trip to see his sister, Viola, in Colorado. Falling in love with Colorado while visiting, he decided to call it home. Jim went on to marry the love of his life, Wanda Novotny, on November 17, 1984.

Jim spent many years serving his community as a firefighter. He retired from the Thornton Fire Department as an Assistant Chief in 1991 and was at the forefront of helping to build the Thornton Fire Department from its infancy. He then capitalized on his entrepreneurial skills and experience as a firefighter to build a very successful business selling fire trucks and fire equipment all across the United States, along with his most memorable sale of a fire truck to a toy factory in China.

Jim was a devoted family man and a loving grandfather. He enjoyed spending time with family and friends and would always tell stories about his experiences as a firefighter, including delivering a baby in the back of a makeshift ambulance in a blizzard. Jim and Wanda traveled all around the world, and his family looked forward to the stories of their adventures, one of which they were nearly caught in the violent protests in Egypt. Jim was a hard working man, who enjoyed the many projects around his home, but was also known for helping his friends and family with their projects. During his sparse downtime, he could be found at his puzzle table or cheering on his beloved Nebraska Cornhuskers and Denver Broncos.

He leaves to mourn his passing, his wife, Wanda Scott; and his children Keith Scott (Danny), Denise Wiley (Todd), Janay Leonhardt (Kurt), Curt Scott (Janae), Alice Green (Jay), Lora Personette (Frank), and Dale Ashby; 13 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; and many more to come.

He is preceded in death by his father, John Scott; his mother, Alice Scott; his sisters, Evelyn Scott, Viola Leuch, & Mary Brundage; and his son, Andrew Scott.

A viewing will be held on Friday, January 31, 2025 from 4:00-6:00 at Olinger Highland Mortuary & Cemetery. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, February 1, 2025 at 11:00 at Olinger Highland Mortuary & Cemetery. Family and friends are welcome to attend the viewing and services to pay their final respects. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Discovery A Christian Church in Broomfield, CO.

James Leroy Scott will be deeply missed by all who knew him, but his legacy and memory will live on through his children and grandchildren.

Please visit olingerhighland.com to share condolences and memories with the Scott Family.