David Mitchell Scott

David Mitchell Scott of Chula Vista, CA, passed away on Monday, February 17, 2025 at the age of 87. David was born on April 4, 1937 at the Franklin County hospital in Massachusetts. The oldest of six siblings, David grew up in Northfield, MA, with his brothers and sisters. Needless to say, in a household with six kids there was always trouble brewing and David, although the oldest, was often part of the trouble. His brothers and sisters shared a special bond growing up and this bond continued into adulthood. It remains strong today.

David enlisted in the Navy shortly after graduating from the Mount Hermon School for Boys. He served his country for 22 years from 1955 to 1977. During the Vietnam War, he was onboard the USS Forrestal when it caught fire on July 29, 1967. He helped to fight the fire and remained with the ship until it reached port. Tragically, he was transferred to USS Coral Sea where he witnessed an incident with a rocket exploding on deck injuring nine sailors four months later on October 25, 1967. He received commendations as part Fleet Air Reconaissance Squadron 1 (VQ-1) performing reconnaissance and signals intelligence missions after the Vietnam War. Upon retiring from the Navy he became a jack of all trades. He first applied his learned skills in the Navy as an electronics technician, but then went on to become a life and auto insurance agent. He helped to maintain mailboxes for the US post office and he served as a manager at an apartment complex for seniors.

David was a loving father to a son whom he would bring to any and every sporting event in San Diego including football, baseball, basketball, golf and hockey. There was no time during the year where he would not be willing to go to a sporting event. He served as a coach to several baseball and soccer teams. David was consistently the willing parent to help with any school outing where parents were needed for transport or escorting. He was always willing to help a stranger in need. He would pick up hitchhiking sailors and get them to where they needed to go. He was a giving soul.

David was actively involved in Alcoholics Anonymous for more than 30 years. Maintaining his sobriety became a primary focus in his early fifties when he accepted his affliction. AA became the fabric of his life. His dedication to AA earned him many life-long friends who supported him and were supported by him during his 3+ decades of sobriety. Near the end of his life, his AA family would bring him to meetings because he was no longer able to do so himself. David’s family was so proud of his dedication to remain sober. Without AA, he would not lived as full a life as he was able.

David is preceded in death by his parents Elizabeth Arlie Dykes and John R. Hurt and his father by adoption Alvin Scott. He is survived by his five brothers and sisters, Robert, Jerry, Brian, Linda and Sally, his son, John and his wife Kim, and his grandchildren Tessa, Lily, Edward and Rebekah. David’s cremated remains will be spread at sea in honor of his Navy career. In honor of David, please consider a donation to a non-profit organization that provides aid or recognition to our veterans such as Honor Flight or Wounded Warriors.