Jonathan B. Scott died unexpectedly on August 16th at his home in New Orleans, at the age of 46. He is survived by his loving wife of 18 years, Tanya Figueroa Scott, his parents Bernard Brandon Scott and Marilyn Scott, and his sister, Mariah Scott. He was born in Evansville and grew up in Tell City, Indiana, where he learned to play drums, cycle with his father on the Big Red Machine, and march in the high school band. He moved to Tulsa and graduated from Union High School. After high school, he played snare in the Black Gold drum corps, and then graduated from Trinity University in San Antonio with a degree in Religious Studies.
He developed a love for New Orleans early, when his parents gave him an album of James Davis and the Paddock Jazz Band, and he discovered jazz. After graduation, he moved to Austin to pursue his dream of being a musician. He played in the band Space Lady, working a day job to support his drum habit while playing at night on Austin’s famous 6th street.
While in Austin, he met Tanya and the synchronicity of her New Orleans life and family botanical business, F&F Spiritual Supply, captivated him. They married during Mardi Gras in the year 2000, and moved to New Orleans to run the business with her father, Felix Figueroa.
In 2006 they escaped Katrina and moved to Portland, Oregon where they immediately opened the Orleans Candle Company. They became magnets for displaced New Orleanians and built a strong local community in North Portland.
After 6 years, New Orleans pulled them home. They returned to F&F on Broad Street in the Treme, where Jonathan grew the business, achieving national recognition and becoming a trusted resource to the spiritual community. F&F and Jonathan were recognized in many tour guides and profiled on TV. Jonathan had a deep interest in world and indigenous religions. An avid fan of New Orleans’ history, he researched and celebrated the many diverse traditions of the city’s religions.
Jonathan and Tanya began to travel, pursuing a lifelong desire to visit Rome and explore its many churches and rich religious history. After two trips, they were planning their third for September.
Tanya and Jonathan were devoted members of Our Lady of the Rosary parish, and active in the Holy Name Society. They are grateful to the church for their ongoing support. Jonathan was beloved by many in the New Orleans community, and his healing presence will be missed.
Visitation on Thursday, August 23 from 7-9 pm at Lakelawn Metairie and Friday morning at 10 am at Our Lady of the Rosary, followed by a Funeral Mass at 11am. Burial at St. Louis Cemetery #3.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Jonathan’s memory to Our Lady of the Rosary Endowment for Restoration and Maintenance, online at http://cf.arch-no.org/donate-now/ or ℅ the Catholic Foundation, 1000 Howard Ave, Suite 800, New Orleans 70113
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