Michael Motohide Scott

Michael Motohide Scott, age 76, of Fayetteville, Georgia passed away on Wednesday, February 1, 2023. Michael was born in Osaka Japan. Michael (“Mike”) Scott, age 76 of Fayetteville, Georgia, passed away February 1, 2023, at home surrounded by family. He was preceded in death by his mother and fathers. Mike is survived by his wife of 50 years, Sherry, his daughters and son-in-laws Stephanie (Sean), Tiffany (Tony), grandsons Talan, Colt, and Sai, and siblings Michie, Jimmy and Charlie. Mike was born in Osaka, Japan to Toshiyo Kimura and Masaaki Sugiyama. He moved to the United States in 1959 with his mother, sister, brother and adopted father Cooper “Scotty” B. Scott. A military brat, he lived in numerous cities and countries before his family ultimately settled in Conley, GA. He attended Forest Park High School. In his early years, Mike was known for giving his mom a run for her money. She would always tell stories of finding everything from frogs to Japanese fighting beetles in his pockets. If there was a risk to be taken, he took it. Mike was an exceptional athlete and competed in a range of sports including baseball, gymnastics, track and high diving. He raced motorcycles and loved fast cars. As the oldest of four, Mike enjoyed his role as big brother and spent equal time tormenting and supporting his siblings. Many stories can be told of pranks and shenanigans followed by howls of laughter. Equally, stories are told of him chauffeuring his siblings to and from practices. We specifically say chauffeur instead of driving as transport also included his motorcycle. He once tried to teach his wife how to ride a motorcycle which resulted in her breaking a toe. Mike being Mike howled with laughter not realizing just how close he came to being clocked. No one ever said (at that point), that he was wise. Mike and his wife raised two exceptional daughters. Both are fiercely independent, successful executives who can shoot, fish and drive fast cars with the best of them. Unfortunately both daughters inherited his stubborn streak and as such are destined to learn lessons the hard way. In his daughters one can clearly see Mike’s determination and fearlessness. Without a doubt Mike’s greatest passion in life was fishing. Whether from the banks of a local university to the piers of Pensacola to the Kasilof River in Alaska, anything fishing related was his focus. When he wasn’t fishing, he was reading about fishing, posting in his beloved fishing groups on Facebook, making lures for fishing buddies or planning his next fishing trip. Through his hobby, Mike developed an extended family on the pier at Pensacola Beach. His family has been humbled by the outpouring of love, stories and respect. Actually, beyond humbled. Mike clearly made an impact on many lives and his love of fishing lives on. Without a doubt he will be saving you all “space on the rail”. Although hard to imagine, Mike did so much more outside of fishing. He could build just about anything, fix just about anything and loved sharing that knowledge with his grandsons. Incredibly intelligent, there were not many problems for which he could not find a solution. He was an encyclopedia of practical knowledge. In his twenties and thirties, he was considered one of the best motorcycle engine mechanics in the area. He could disassemble and assemble components with wicked precision. No tool invented for a specific need? No problem. He made his own. Mike’s most favorite smell in the world was that of a fresh pot of rice. He mentioned it nearly every time he made it, which was daily. He was a perfectionist when it came to rice. If a chef dared send out sushi with rice Mike deemed sub-par, he would not hesitate to educate the Chef on the error of his ways. No one except his wife dared put anything on rice except soy sauce or vinegar for sushi. As it was, he ended up with two son-in-laws and three grandsons that all add condiments to their rice. He was not happy but he managed to show only a slight visible twinge. Mike loved order and watchout to whomever dared load the dishwasher with too many spoons in one compartment. “Too many spoons spoon” he would say. On occasion a family member would deliberately stack the spoons for the entertainment of watching his response - from behind cover. Speaking of jokes, Mike loved to plan and execute but didn’t necessarily appreciate being pranked. He routinely pranked his grandsons, through fake spiders, scary costumes, pretending to eat their food to get a reaction. Sometimes, he would forget he was the adult and would need to be reminded he was the mature one of the bunch. For example, introducing the boys to scary movies and purchasing quasi-dangerous toys that moms and grandmoms did not approve of. He once convinced a grandson to eat a nasty sour plum promising there was candy in the middle. About a year before his passing, Mike was given an oreo by his youngest grandson and told it was a new “mint version”. After he ate oreo, the grandson confessed that the mint was toothpaste. Mike was so mad that the youngest got one over on him that he could not stand himself and immediately began planning his revenge. The cycle continued until the end with Mike getting the last laugh. He’d have had it no other way. An intensely private man, what many may not know is that he was a decorated Vietnam Veteran. Mike offered little information for most of his life, only sharing that he had completed several tours of duty in Vietnam earning both Bronze and Silver stars. Largely, he kept his experience to himself and shared few details about his medals. One day, Mike was at Bass Pro Shop in Macon, GA when a man approached to ask about the hat he was wearing - 101st Airborne. As they spoke, long buried connections were made. The man standing before him was one of the very men whose life he saved back in Vietnam. It should come as no surprise, Mike was a hero. He would argue the point and decline the title. Despite this, it’s worth saying again: Mike Scott was a true American hero. Though we attempt to tell Mike’s story in a few paragraphs, we fail miserably. He was many things to many people. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you read Mike’s story as told in the book Tiger Bravo’s War by Rick St. John. Rick was his commanding officer and it is with honor that we share Mike’s final communication to Rick: “Dear Sir, This maybe the last correspondence with. I have been fighting against cancer for many years. I decided to change the Rules of Engagement. I have decided as of yesterday that hospice will aid me in passing. It has been pleasure and privilege to have served with you sir. Currahee!” Mike was a soldier to the very end. Mike’s family invites you to join his send off with full Military Honors on Thursday, February 16, 2023 at 1:30PM at Georgia National Cemetery, 2025 Mount Carmel Church Lane, Canton, GA 30114. Story telling will follow for those inclined at Family Tradition restaurant, 4379 Towne Lake Pkwy, Ste 140, Woodstock, 30189. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.neptunesociety.com/location/atlanta-cremation for the Scott family.