Douglas Edward Scott

His Mother thought it important that her children be exposed to music in some form. For Doug, that meant piano and then organ lessons. As a teen he played for Sunday services at the Almeda United Methodist Church. After graduating from Westbury High School, where he was active in ROTC, Doug began working for AT&T, following in his Father’s footsteps. That career was put on hold when he received a draft notice from Uncle Sam. He enlisted and served in the U.S. Army from 1967-1971. Doug had always wanted to be a pilot, but he was thinking planes. The Army’s testing showed him to be a better candidate to fly helicopters. He was sent to Fort Wolters, Texas for his initial training and rose to the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 2. He served in Vietnam in 1968-1969. After recovering from a knee injury, he became a military instructor pilot at the Primary Helicopter School at Ft. Wolters. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Army Aviator Badge, Good Conduct Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal with 60 Device, Purple Heart, and Air Medal with 5 Oak Leaf Clusters.

Doug resumed his work as a cable splicer for AT&T in Houston (later Southwestern Bell), and in 1973 transitioned into management in the engineering department. In 1986, he moved into corporate security. He retired from Southwestern Bell in 1993.

After his retirement, Doug went on to work in several different fields: private investigator, aircraft mechanic, Gulf helicopter pilot, and security coordinator for the Katy ISD Police Department. In 2002, Durwood Greene Construction offered him the position of corporate helicopter pilot, and he went back to flying helicopters, which he loved. He attended the Bell Schools for annual training, and was very proud to have completed their Professional Pilot Program (P3). In the first quarter of 2008, the company decided to sell the helicopter, and he retired for good.

Doug was the proud owner of a 1977 Grumman American Tiger, and was instrument rated and a CFI in both helicopters and airplanes.

He was a member of the Aerial Law Enforcement Response Team (ALERT) until it was disbanded. This organization flew Huey helicopters to aid law enforcement in search and rescue missions. They also flew at ceremonies when the Moving Wall was displayed and participated in Wings Over Houston. Doug received a Meritorious Life Saving Award and Medal from US Congressman Kevin Brady in 2001 for piloting a Huey that rescued 91 people during Tropical Storm Allison.

He was an active member of Greater Houston Association of Flight Instructors and served on their Board. He was also a member of the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association.

Doug will be missed by his family and friends.

Funeral Service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, June 24, 2011 at Forest Park Lawndale Funeral Home in the Family Chapel, with Rev. Bill Cole officiating. Graveside Service with Military Honors will follow in Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made "In Memory of Douglas E. Scott" to:

The National Vietnam War Museum

P.O. Box 146

Mineral Wells, TX 76068-0146

http://www.nationalvnwarmuseum.org/index.htm