James (Jim) Alvin Scott

James “Jim” Scott, 78, of Gatesville, passed away peacefully on Monday, December 29, 2025 in his home of nearly 50 years surrounded by family.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, January 3. 2026, at First Baptist Church in Gatesville with Minister Ted Foote officiating. Burial will follow at  Ater Cemetery. The family will receive visitors from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Friday at Scott’s Funeral Home.

Jim was born February 14, 1947, in Detroit, Michigan, to William (Bill) Scott and Josephine (Clary) Scott. The family moved to Gatesville when Jim was young. He spent his formative years in the community before graduating from Gatesville High School in 1965.

A member of the National Guard, Jim attended Sam Houston State University, earning his bachelor’s degree in 1968. He married Carol Rogers on September 2, 1967, in Houston. They lived in Huntsville, where he taught industrial arts and drove a school bus for nearly six years.

Jim and Carol moved to Copperas Cove where he served as a vocational counselor in Copperas Cove ISD, and then to Gatesville, where Jim worked as a principal for Windham ISD in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ). He served at multiple units, including Hilltop and Gatesville, before retiring in 2001. While working at TDCJ, Jim also completed coursework at Tarleton State University to earn his master’s degree in education administration.

Jim was married to Carol for 39 years before she passed away, but Jim was blessed to have two great loves in his lifetime. He remarried on June 9, 2012, to Dolly Dameron, and they enjoyed 13 wonderful years together while also residing in Levita. Whether found on the “Tumbleweed,” at the “Buddy Pond,” or traveling with close friends as part of the “Hat Club,” you could rarely find Jim or Dolly when they weren’t together.

Serving many years as a deacon, Jim was a longtime member of Levita Baptist Church (Levita Bible Fellowship) and proud to be part of the surrounding community that he called home. He was strong in his faith and had a positive and lasting impact on his family and many friends. Jim loved the outdoors – whether working on the farm, fishing, or water skiing, you could often find him with friends and family enjoying the open air.

Jim was preceded in death by his first wife, Carol; parents William (Bill) and Josephine Scott; sister Sammie Skinner; father and mother in-law T.L. (Boy) and Colleen Rogers; and niece Valorie Rogers.

Jim is survived by his wife, Dolly Scott, of Gatesville; sons, James Kent Scott and wife Liane, of Ater, and Jerry Don Scott and wife Nicole of Jonesboro, Arkansas; bonus son, Mike Dameron and wife Marci of Waco; bonus daughter, Shelly Fisk and husband Rob, of Bruceville-Eddy; brother-in-law, Don Rogers and wife Sharon, of Rankin; niece, Robyn DePalma of Austin; nephews, Joe Skinner and wife Teresa, of Austin and Garrett and Owen Rogers of Rankin; grandchildren, Tenley Scott and Broc Tullis of College Station, William, Ella and Lucy Scott of Jonesboro, Arkansas, Jake and Kooper Negrete of Waco, and Sarah Matthys and husband Bradley of West; and great granddaughter, Kindra Matthys of West.

A special thank you to the Bluebonnet Hospice and caretakers Julie Shevlin, Julie Roberts, Jen Maxwell, and Jessica. The love and care they showed to Jim in his last weeks is greatly appreciated.

Memorials may be made to the Ater Cemetery Association, Levita Fellowship Church, the Class of 1965 Scholarship Fund or charity of choice.