Death of Ted Scott mourned in area

Ted Scott

The death of former Westland Fire Chief, Wayne County Safety Director and Wayne County Community College Trustee and Board Chairman Theodore (Ted)  Scott is being mourned throughout the area.
Mr. Scott, 84, died Dec. 27 at St. Mary Hospital in Livonia with his family surrounding him. He had suffered a cardiac incident while leaving a holiday party the previous week and was revived at the scene by another former Westland Fire Chief, Mark Neal, and other retired fire department and city employees. He was transported to the hospital, but he did not survive.

Mr. Scott, for whom the western campus of Wayne County Community College District is named, was born Sept. 28, 1935 in Racine Ohio, the son of George and Marie Scott. Mr. Scott spent more than 26 years of his career with the Westland Fire Department and retired in 1985 after serving as chief of the department for five years. He also served on the YMCA board of directors for 10 years. When an opening on the Wayne County Community College board of trustees occurred in 1989, his life-long interest in education spurred him to pursue the position where he continued to serve for another decade. He became chairman of the college board of trustees after only one year and continued as chair from 1995 until 1999, a transformative time for the college. Mr. Scott also served as chairperson the Academic/Student Affairs Standing Committee in 1994.  During his tenure with the college, he pushed to implement far-reaching changes credited for the success and exemplary reputation the college has earned.
According to college Chancellor Dr. Curtis Ivery, Mr. Scott's leadership and dedication were integral in the success of the college and were an invaluable contribution to education for thousands of area residents. In 2017 the entire Belleville campus was renamed in recognition of his contributions to the educational environment throughout Wayne County. In a moving tribute to him, Ivery spoke about Mr. Scott's leadership and character and said that without Mr. Scott's involvement, he had doubts that the college could have survived.
“I truly believe that you could look for a hundred years and never find a better person than Ted Scott,” Ivery said at the dedication. Ivery credited Mr. Scott's actions and bold leadership strategies for the expansion of programming at the college and the increased enrollment.
“His insight and leadership was invaluable and truly transformative,” Ivery said.
Mr. Scott is survived by his wife, Sharon, who has served as treasurer of the Wayne County College Board of Trustees since her election in 2008. She also served on the Wayne-Westland community Schools Board of Education and the Westland City Council from 1992 through 2000.
In addition to his wife, Mr. Scott is survived by the couple's three daughters, Sonya (Ken) Kowalski; Linda Moore and Rachel Scott. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Scotty Moore, Matthew (Lisa) Moore, Megan Moore, Grace Kowalski, and Seth Scott along with great-grandchildren, Noah Moore and Caroline Moore.
Funeral services took place for Mr. Scott Monday at St. John's Episcopal Church where the couple was active. A special service officiated by the Rev. Henny Grossoehme and the Rev. Tom Wilson also celebrated and memorialized his life.
Entombment was planned for Cadillac Memorial Gardens West.  In lieu of flowers, the family has suggested donations to St. John's Episcopal Church.
Arrangements were entrusted to the Uht Funeral Home.