Thomas Holloman Scott, Jr.

Local businessman and philanthropist Thomas Holloman Scott, Jr., died peacefully at his home on Sunday, January 29, 2023, after courageously battling illness for a number of years.  He was 79. Tom Scott was born to Mayme and T.H. Scott on September 22, 1943 in Monroe, Louisiana.  His life was a testimony that it truly is more blessed to give than to receive. 

Tom attended Neville High School where he played center on the 1959 and 1961 championship football teams, something of which he was very proud.  From there, he attended both Louisiana State University and Northeast Louisiana University.  In 1964, he joined his family’s business, Scott Truck & Tractor Company.  A natural-born salesman, he excelled in equipment sales before moving his young family to Shreveport, Louisiana where he assumed duties as the branch manager of the farm equipment store.  He was instrumental in adding construction equipment to the company’s product portfolio and would later become president of Scott’s construction equipment division. After returning to Monroe, he fulfilled his dream of establishing a company devoted to providing equipment services exclusively to powerline contractors such as his long-time customer, Irby Construction.  This company, Scott Powerline and Utility Equipment, commenced operations in March 2000 with one location, thirteen employees, and about 50 pieces of equipment.  Under Tom’s leadership, Scott Powerline would become his crowning achievement, growing to be one of the leading utility equipment providers in North America.  In recognition of his many professional accomplishments, the Monroe Chamber of Commerce honored him with the prestigious Kitty Degree Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award in Business in 2019.   

In addition to being a savvy businessman, Tom Scott was also known for his compassion and generosity.  In the day of email and text messages, he carried on his mother’s practice of sending handwritten notes of congratulations, encouragement, and love to family, employees and friends.  A recovering alcoholic for nearly 50 years, he was passionate about helping others struggling with addiction. He generously gave his time and financial resources to organizations dedicated to helping others stay sober. He often said helping others stay sober kept him sober. Another passion of his was helping others receive a higher education. In 2014, he began working with Delta Community College, Louisiana Tech University, and ULM to provide tuition assistance for students who do not qualify for various financial aid programs but still need help paying for their education.  To date, over 300 students have completed their higher education thanks to his generous support.

Anyone who knew Tom Scott knew he was not all work and no play. He had an interesting sense of humor and loved to tell stories, where he relished in referring to himself as “Big Daddy.”  A history buff, he read numerous books on a wide range of topics. His enthusiasm for history dovetailed nicely with the fact he was well-traveled, having visited places as far away as China, Japan, and South Africa to name a few.  Tom was a long-time golf fan, which he played well into his early 70s, and encouraged both family and friends to enjoy the sport.  It was on the golf course where he would sometimes enjoy a little wager with associates or friends, often invoking his own special set of rules to insure a “proper” outcome. He also enjoyed playing a variety of games – the recurring poker game with his buddies at the country club was often the highlight of his week.                      

Tom Scott, Jr. is survived by his wife Sharon Fisher Scott; his children Evelyn Scott Johnson (Jeff) and Thomas Holloman Scott, III (Leslie) of Shreveport, LA; his beloved grandchildren Drew Johnson (Shay), Abigail Johnson, Griffin Scott, Elliott Scott, and Oliver Scott; and sister Betty Cummins.  His extended family includes Sharon’s children Shannon Rider (Clint) and Heather Poole; grandchildren Scott Rider (fiancée SuSu Shackleford), Christian Rider, Madeline Poole (Derek Williams), Andrew Poole, Grayson Poole, and great-grandson Shepard Williams; and numerous nieces and nephews. Tom considered his Scott Powerline employees as family and credited them for much of the company’s success. He remained close with his Georgia Tucker kindergarten friends, the late Dianne Cage, Gilbert Faulk, Steve Parker, and Manco Snapp.  Tom made friends and created relationships everywhere he went and will be truly missed by all. 

Services will be held on Thursday, February 2, 2023 at First Methodist Church, 3900 Loop Road in Monroe, Louisiana.  Visitation will begin at 12:30 PM and continue until the time of service at 2:00 PM. Committal will follow at Mulhearn Memorial Park Cemetery, 623 US Highway 80, Monroe, Louisiana.  Reverend Warren Eckhardt of North Monroe Baptist Church and Terry Slawson of Seeker Springs Ministry will conduct the service. 

Pallbearers will be Drew Johnson, Elliott Scott, Oliver Scott, Clint Rider, Scott Rider, and Jesse Wied. Honorary pallbearers are Abigail Johnson, Griffin Scott, Jeff Adams, Jim Bershen, Brian Covington, Jeff Elkins, Gilbert Faulk, Shawn Gentle, Tom Nicholson, Dickie Raymond, Manco Snapp, Richard Turnley, as well as Tom’s many banking and manufacturing partners.   

The family would like to give a special thank you to Dr. Richard O’Donovan, Alicia Doyle, Cooper Doyle, Donna Ford, Jackie Garth, Louis Harris, Marilyn Randle, Vernon Rogers, Karen Stevens, and Haven Home Health for the wonderful care and comfort they provided Tom. 

In lieu of flowers, please make donations in his memory to Seeker Springs Ministry, 1280 Okaloosa Road, Eros, LA 71238 (seekersprings.com) or The 1900 Club, PO Box 2441, Monroe, LA 71207, which provides support to 12 Step groups.