Scott Joseph Wilson

After being an inspiration to many, Scott Joseph Wilson, 55, surrendered to a long and valiant battle with diabetes and other health complications on Monday, January 9th, 2023. He died peacefully at his home in Tampa, Florida.

Scott was born in Michigan City, Indiana to Paul and Joan Wilson on October 25, 1967. He attended LaPorte High School and remained a proud “Slicer” his entire life, often sporting his orange and black Slicer shirts. Scott was also a diehard Cub’s fan and even organized a big family reunion/Cubs game trip to honor his Grandpa Ligda as a veteran at Wrigley Field in the summer of 2013.

Some of Scott’s fondest memories were from growing up in the 80’s in simpler times in their sweet little subdivision, Concord Hills which was built in the middle of an old grape vineyard in LaPorte, Indiana. He loved running around the neighborhood with his friends, playing baseball, “kick the can”, flashlight tag, riding bikes, sledding on the big hill behind their house on all of the snow days, swimming in their pool, tormenting his two little sisters, Jill and Jennifer and giving their bus driver, Mrs. Wheeler a hard time on Bus #42. His favorite pastime though was playing basketball with his friends and neighbors (Scott, Chris, Grant and many more) and for the LaPorte High School basketball team. He proudly sported his #54 jersey! He also was an outstanding track and field athlete, setting the school pole vault record his senior year. Scott left many friends behind in LaPorte, but was great at keeping in touch with them throughout the years ahead.

Upon graduation, Scott attended Adrian College in Michigan where he graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing. He was a beloved member of the Zeta Beta chapter of Theta Chi fraternity. He joined in the fall of 1986 and played on the fraternity Greek intramural basketball teams. His fraternity brothers from across the United States are saddened to hear of his death.

After college, Scott moved to Florida where he held various jobs, but ultimately ended up in the mortgage industry employed by Chase Manhattan Mortgage for many years. He retired a few years ago due to health complications. Scott was a fighter and would never give up! He was one of the longest surviving double organ transplant recipients, having received his kidney and pancreas from a young woman in October of 2001. He always encouraged others to become organ donors as his transplant added many years to his life.

Scott also worked part-time in Florida as a DJ with his best friend, Olivier mixing and jamming to the 80’s music that he loved the best. Olivier became like a brother to Scott and became his daughter’s godfather before he preceded Scott in death.

On April 8, 2000, Scott married Susan Schwerak in Dunedin, Florida. They spent many happy years together and their greatest joy was the birth of their beautiful daughter, Kaitlyn, born on April 22, 2004. Kaitlyn was Scott’s little miracle baby and she was definitely Daddy’s Little Girl! Scott was very involved in attending all of the activities at Kaitlyn’s school and even worked in her afterschool daycare program. He was the best dad, always taking Sue and Kaitlyn to Busch Gardens, Disney World and on multiple cruises. Scott loved to dress up with Kaitlyn on every Halloween and take her trick-or-treating. At Christmas, Scott would drive his neighbors crazy by putting up the largest, most obnoxious, inflatable Christmas decorations including a Santa which towered over the roof of their house. He was certainly the “Clark Griswold” of their neighborhood! Sue has always remained very close to Scott despite their ultimate decision that they were better off as friends.

To keep himself busy, Scott worked part-time managing a parking lot at the Tampa Bay Rays’ stadium. Scott made many friends standing outside directing traffic, no matter rain or shine. His good friend “Coach” and daughter, Kaitlyn would often join him to help. He continued to work the lot even after having his leg amputated in 2017. Nothing ever slowed him down!

Scott is preceded in death by his grandparents on both sides and his father, Paul Wilson.

Scott is survived by his daughter Kaitlyn and her mother Susan, his mother, Joan Wilson, sisters Jill Obbagy (Paul) and Jennifer Cifaldi (John), several nieces and nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins. Scott is also survived by his girlfriend, Sally Chaplinski who cared for him over the last few years.

Cremation rites have been accorded. There will be no services locally. Celebrations of Life are being planned and pending for Tampa, Florida and LaPorte, Indiana.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to Scott’s daughter, Kaitlyn Wilson for her college fund and sent to her at 12502 Sparkleberry Road, Tampa, Florida, 33626. Additionally, there is a “Go Fund Me” page set up and can be accessed at https://gofund.me/5635d1f4

The family of Scott Wilson wishes to extend our sincere thanks to Tampa General Hospital for all of their care during his kidney/pancreas transplant as well as his numerous other surgeries and hospital stays.