Michael Lawrence Scott, Sr.

Michael "Mike" "The Original" Lawrence Scott, Sr., of Charleston, SC, and formerly of Kiawah Island, SC, Barrington and Chicago, IL, passed away on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, surrounded by love in his home. He was 80 years old.

A charismatic maverick his entire life, Michael was born in Dayton, OH, on May 25, 1945, to James and Rosemary (née Daker) Scott, the oldest of their 13 children. Raised on the South Side of Chicago, Michael excelled in sports and school, but found his first love, golf, by caddying at Chicago's Beverly Country Club. At Beverly, he was able to both grow his game and his professional network, earning a seat on the Chicago Board of Trade at 18 years old.

From that moment, he set out on an entrepreneurial career in sales and business ownership, most notably starting Great Scott Sales, a manufacturer's rep firm covering hardware chains in the Midwest. He also owned a hardware store, an Italian restaurant and numerous commercial properties in both Illinois and South Carolina.

While building his business, he was also building his family. With his first wife, Sue Ellen (née Mitchell) Scott, they brought into the world three sons and with his second wife, Nancy (née Hutchinson), two daughters.

His infectious positivity, quick wit, and incredible charm made him a friend to anyone who met him and was always ready at a moment's notice to make people laugh with a joke - often to retort to his wife of 44 years, Nancy with a "Did ya hear that one, Nance?"

Besides his family, his other love was golf. It opened up doors for him as a young man to give him opportunities he wouldn't have otherwise known. It was a lifelong passion, and when he played Augusta National with his oldest son, he called it the "best day of my life, besides obviously my wedding day and the day you kids were born!" He was a club legend wherever he belonged, from Biltmore CC and Wynstone in Barrington, IL to The Kiawah Island Club in South Carolina, where he would run weekly golf games and take a disproportionate amount of the winnings according to his golf buddies. He immensely enjoyed the relationships that he built through golf and time spent with his family, and up to his last moments, he would relive rounds and talk about the next time he played golf.

Michael was a man of strong character and love for his family. His most treasured time was Thanksgiving where he and Nancy would welcome family to their home for laughter and exceptional hospitality. Later in life, he authored is biography "How about Them Hot Dogs", a stunning collection of poignant and humorous stories from his life.

Most of all, Michael defied all odds through an unwavering belief in himself and a next-level commitment to the power of positivity. His achievements - business, golf, and family - are the envy of many a man. A true original to the end, his legacy is deep and he shall not be forgotten.

Michael is survived by his loving and dedicated wife of 44 years, Nancy; his children Michael Jr. (Elly) Scott of Katonah, NY, David Scott of Winston-Salem, NC, Kevin (Landa) Scott of Hambledon, England, Lauren (Seth) Collins of Charleston and Maggie (William) Boyte of San Antonio, TX; his seven grandchildren Morgan, Evan, and Will Scott; Kika and Mylo Acevedo-Scott; and Elizabeth and Hannah Collins.

The family will be announcing plans for a memorial service in the Charleston area in the Spring of 2026 - right around golf season kicking into gear. In lieu of flowers, friends are asked to donate in his name to FRAXA.org, a charity working on a cure for Fragile X Syndrome which afflicts his eldest grandson or the American Heart Association.

Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted online at mcalister-smith.com.Arrangments have been entrusted to McAlister-Smith Funeral and Cremation, 347 Folly Road, Charleston, SC 29412 (843) 614-8494.