James M. Scott
Encyclopedia
James M. Scott (1911–2001), an author
, inventor, and Senior Olympian
, was born in Wisdom, Missouri, on 28 May 1911, to James Baker Scott and Cordelia Susan Suiter. One of five children (one of whom died in infancy), he grew up in Fairfield, Missouri
, seven miles south of Warsaw
near Route 83. The town is now covered by water, which occurred in the early 1970s when the Harry S. Truman Dam and Reservoir
began filling.
, for two years to earn his teaching credential. He headed west in 1937, settling in San Diego two years later. One of his first jobs in San Diego was delivering milk door-to-door for Golden Arrow Dairy in a time when the milkman
was part of daily life in America
. In the late 1940s, while working for the dairy, he invented the Zip Whip—a device for whipping cream, which was featured in a book, The Eggbeater Chronicles. Scott switched from delivering milk to selling insurance and later became a real estate broker, which he continued doing well into his 80s.
during high school and, later, in a bush league against other counties. Also, while still living in Fairfield, he became a local rodeo celebrity.
He began playing racquetball
in the 1950s and was ranked a top player for many years. Upon turning 70, Scott played 70 racquetball games against 70 opponents over a 10-day period for $1 to $5 a point, raising more than $1,500 for the National Kidney Foundation
. During the 1980s he won gold, silver and bronze medals in both singles and doubles competitions for players 70 years and older in the Senior Olympics
. Scott also played basketball
, and in 1995 won a free throw
basketball competition in San Diego in the 80-to-85 age bracket.
He wrote a book (The Missouri Kid) in 1999, about growing up as a hillbilly in the Missouri Ozarks. He also wrote a pamphlet about salesmanship, which was published in the 1950s.
in 1940, and they had five children, including scientist J. Michael Scott
, true crime
author Cathy Scott
, and antiques expert Cordelia Mendoza
. After they divorced in 1966, he married Helen Scott.
Author
An author is broadly defined as "the person who originates or gives existence to anything" and that authorship determines responsibility for what is created. Narrowly defined, an author is the originator of any written work.-Legal significance:...
, inventor, and Senior Olympian
Senior Olympics
The National Senior Games or "Senior Olympics" is a sports competition for seniors from the United States. It is a multi-sport event specifically devoted to adults aged 50+ . It is composed of regional competitions held yearly in all American states...
, was born in Wisdom, Missouri, on 28 May 1911, to James Baker Scott and Cordelia Susan Suiter. One of five children (one of whom died in infancy), he grew up in Fairfield, Missouri
Fairfield, Missouri
Fairfield is a former unincorporated community in Benton County, Missouri. Fairfield and much of its surrounding township, Alexander, is now covered by water, as part of the Harry S. Truman Dam and Reservoir. It was located about seven miles south of Warsaw just west of Route 83...
, seven miles south of Warsaw
Warsaw, Missouri
Warsaw is a city located in Benton County, Missouri. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 2,070. It is the county seat of Benton County. As of 2005, its estimated population was 2,268.-State and U.S. records:...
near Route 83. The town is now covered by water, which occurred in the early 1970s when the Harry S. Truman Dam and Reservoir
Harry S. Truman Dam and Reservoir
The Truman Reservoir is located in the state of Missouri, United States. It is the largest man-made lake in Missouri and the dam that created and manages the lake's water level. It is located between Clinton and Warsaw, on the Osage River and extends south to Osceola...
began filling.
Biography
He taught for five years in a one-room schoolhouse in Wisdom, Missouri. He attended Teacher's College in Liberty, MissouriLiberty, Missouri
Liberty is a city in Clay County, Missouri and is a suburb of Kansas City, Missouri. At the 2007 population estimate, the city population was 29,993...
, for two years to earn his teaching credential. He headed west in 1937, settling in San Diego two years later. One of his first jobs in San Diego was delivering milk door-to-door for Golden Arrow Dairy in a time when the milkman
Milkman
A milkman is a person, traditionally male, who delivers milk in milk bottles or cartons. Milk deliveries frequently occur in the morning and it is not uncommon for milkmen to deliver products other than milk such as eggs, cream, cheese, butter, yogurt or soft drinks...
was part of daily life in America
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. In the late 1940s, while working for the dairy, he invented the Zip Whip—a device for whipping cream, which was featured in a book, The Eggbeater Chronicles. Scott switched from delivering milk to selling insurance and later became a real estate broker, which he continued doing well into his 80s.
Sports
Scott played baseballBaseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
during high school and, later, in a bush league against other counties. Also, while still living in Fairfield, he became a local rodeo celebrity.
He began playing racquetball
Racquetball
For other sports often called "paddleball", see Paddleball .Racquetball is a racquet sport played with a hollow rubber ball in an indoor or outdoor court...
in the 1950s and was ranked a top player for many years. Upon turning 70, Scott played 70 racquetball games against 70 opponents over a 10-day period for $1 to $5 a point, raising more than $1,500 for the National Kidney Foundation
National Kidney Foundation
The National Kidney Foundation, Inc. is a major voluntary health organization in the United States, headquartered in New York City...
. During the 1980s he won gold, silver and bronze medals in both singles and doubles competitions for players 70 years and older in the Senior Olympics
Senior Olympics
The National Senior Games or "Senior Olympics" is a sports competition for seniors from the United States. It is a multi-sport event specifically devoted to adults aged 50+ . It is composed of regional competitions held yearly in all American states...
. Scott also played basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
, and in 1995 won a free throw
Free throw
In basketball, free throws or foul shots are unopposed attempts to score points from a restricted area on the court , and are generally awarded after a foul on the shooter by the opposing team...
basketball competition in San Diego in the 80-to-85 age bracket.
He wrote a book (The Missouri Kid) in 1999, about growing up as a hillbilly in the Missouri Ozarks. He also wrote a pamphlet about salesmanship, which was published in the 1950s.
Family
Scott married Eileen Rose BusbyEileen Rose Busby
Eileen Rose Busby was an author and antiques expert who was featured on HGTV's Appraise It! show.-Early life:...
in 1940, and they had five children, including scientist J. Michael Scott
J. Michael Scott
Dr. J. Michael Scott, a senior scientist, distinguished emeritus professor, environmentalist and author, was born in 1941 in San Diego, California.-Education:A graduate of San Diego County's Helix High School, Dr...
, true crime
True crime (genre)
True crime is a non-fiction literary and film genre in which the author examines an actual crime and details the actions of real people.The crimes most commonly include murder, but true crime works have also touched on other legal cases. Depending on the writer, true crime can adhere strictly to...
author Cathy Scott
Cathy Scott
Cathy Scott is an American true crime writer and investigative journalist, born and raised in San Diego, United States growing up in nearby La Mesa, California...
, and antiques expert Cordelia Mendoza
Cordelia Mendoza
Cordelia Mendoza is an antiques expert, volunteer, San Diego retailer, and author. Her volunteer work began at age 13 when she and her twin sister, Cathleen Scott, were named and represented the San Diego County Heart Association for a year as the Heart Fund Twins, after Mendoza successfully...
. After they divorced in 1966, he married Helen Scott.