Gerald Scott

Gerald Dean Scott was born Aug. 18, 1933, in Edgemont, S.D., to Ralph and Madge (Robison) Scott. He grew up in the Minnekahta Valley on the family’s ranch just north of the Fall River/Custer County line. 
He graduated from Edgemont High School in 1953. That November he was inducted in the United States Army, taking his basic training at Ft. Riley, Kan. He was transferred to Ft. Baker, Calif., where he served with the 561st Engineer Port Construction Company. He was honorably discharged Feb. 21, 1956.
Gerald began working with the U.S. Forest Service on a temporary 10-month basis; then be “laid off” for at least two months before he could be rehired. This process went on for several cycles before a “permanent” position opened up.
During one of these “lay-offs” he enrolled in Hanson Auto Diesel School in Fargo, N.D. After completing his training, he came back home to work for Wing’s Auto Service in Edgemont for two years before “trying again” with the Forest Service.
It was then that he met his soul mate, Kathleen Brown. They were married Feb. 21, 1962 and made their home in Custer, S.D., where they raised their three children.
When his current 10- month status was up, he went to work for Campbell Chevrolet in Custer from 1962-67. He went back to the Forest Service for two more “10-month hitches” before being offered a permanent position, which he held until his retirement in 1994.
During his 30 years he worked as a heavy equipment operator, involved in building roads, small dams, blasting, brush disposal as well as fire-fighting. After his retirement, he and Kathleen started a craft business out of their home making trophies and plaques for a number of organizations and businesses, including many county fairs in South Dakota and Wyoming. After Kathleen’s death, Gerald became interested in beekeeping. He had several hives and could often be seen peddling his honey around town.
Gerald, of Custer, passed away Aug. 7, 2025. He was 91.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Kathleen; two sons, Allen and Dallas; brother, Donald (Mildred) Scott; brother-in-law, Delmer Brown; and an infant brother.
Gerald is survived by his daughter, Cyntha (Steve) Bostrom of New Effington, S.D. (who he stayed with this past year); daughter-in law, Denice Scott of Newell, S.D.; five grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; brother-in-law, Dennis (Betty) Brown of Spring Hill, Fla.; three nieces; two nephews; and several cousins.
Funeral service will be at 10 a.m., Friday, Aug. 15 at Chamberlain McColley’s Funeral Home in Custer, followed by committal service at Custer Cemetery.
Arrangements have been placed in the care of Chamberlain McColley’s Funeral Home in Custer.