Scott Joseph Plantholt

1967-2005

     There are some heroes among us that are very easy to spot, such as firemen, policemen, soldiers and teachers.  And then there are those heroes whose courage and strength is less visible and takes greater insight and love to see.

     Our brother Scott is one of those heroes.  Scott was born just before Christmas time and when my parents brought him home from the hospital they put him under our Christmas tree, took pictures and told us he was our Christmas present that year - and he truly was.

     Being the youngest of five children, he was the ‘Munchkin” of the group and he always wanted us to play with him and never took ‘no’ for an answer.  As he grew older Scott loved to be with his friends, listening to his music, working on his car, going to Mass or just having a good time.

     But Scott also had some problems that made his daily living activities very hard and interfered with his joy of living.  Normal things that many of us take for granted were a challenge for Scott and often life was one step forward and three steps back.

     And yet despite this, he never stopped trying and never gave into his problems.  He tried hard to find new faith and hope to get through each day.  By finding this strength he accomplished many things some of us never could do.

     He was a loving and giving son to his parents - always helping them with anything they needed.  He always kept in contact with his brothers and sisters: Carl, Mark, Donna, and Judy, who are spread out all over the country, and always wanted to know what was happening in their lives.  He was also a loving uncle to his nieces and nephew (Lindsay, Laura, Jessica, Graham, and Carly).

     As I have learned, he was also a great support for the people at his work and everyone who met him was charmed by his open heart and boyish innocence.  No matter where he was or whom he was with, he could put a smile on your face and have a friend for life.

     To become such a loving man, good son, and wonderful brother despite such odds, truly makes him a hero in our eyes.  I don’t know that any of us would have had the strength and courage it took to go through what he did and still be such a kind, caring and thoughtful person.

     The last time I talked with Scott he was a little down about his life.  He said that he didn’t think he was getting anywhere and he wished he was “successful”.  I think about that conversation now and it becomes apparent to me that Scott actually was very successful in life - just not by how success is normally measured.

     You see the true measure of a man in not wealth, a college degree, a great job, or the 1.5 kids and house in the suburbs.  The true measure of a man is how he impacts the people’s lives he comes in contact with during his time here on earth and whether or not he leaves them better off after he is gone.

     As I sat at the funeral home during visiting hours, I heard so many wonderful things from the people who knew him in life and who came to visit Scott and our family in our time of grief.  I had no idea he had so many good friends - but I guess I really shouldn’t have been surprised - knowing how everybody loved Scott.

     They said such wonderful things and used words to describe Scott like ‘caring’, ‘dependable’, a ‘good listener’, and a ‘great friend’.  And as I look around the church today I see many of the same faces - and some new ones.  Again, I am amazed to see the number of friends my little brother has and who came to say goodbye.

     As I think back on my definition of the measure of a man, I can see that Scott actually was a very wealthy and successful man.  We are all proud of you Munchkin - thank you for touching our lives and making us better people for having known you.