Scott Wise peacefully left this world on Dec. 3,  while at home, surrounded by family. He suffered from pancreatic and liver cancer, and true to form, kept the seriousness and severity of his condition from those who knew and loved him as long as he possibly could, ever being the protector.

Scott was born in his grandma Mae Simpson’s back bedroom on May 15, 1951 in Reedsport, Ore. to Joan (Cox) Wise and Ken Wise, where he joined his older sister Sherry.

Scott enjoyed being outside from a young age, fishing and hunting with his family and friends. He became a proficient marksman with the rifle and shotgun, and won many tournaments trap shooting with his father, even beating him one time when he was only 12. He won a pearl handled .22 pistol, a weapon he was too young to even own at the time, so his dad took it for “safe keeping”; not sure he ever got it back!

Scott was always popular and made friends easily. He graduated in 1969 from Elmira High School, Elmira, Ore., with friends he kept for life. Scott tried to join the Marine Corp in 1970 but when asked if he had any allergies, he admitted to being allergic to bee stings. His application was refused. Later, in 1971 when he reapplied to join the Marine Corp, miraculously he no longer had any allergies and joined the service in December of 1971.

Scott excelled in the Marine Corp, receiving many citations, and seeing a lot of action in Vietnam, where he was in Recon. Some of his medals and citations include the National Defense Service Medal; Vietnam Campaign Medal; Vietnam Service Medal; Combat Action Ribbon; NAVMAC Parachute Badge; Presidential Unit Citation; RVN Parachute Badge; Air Crew Badge; Vietnam Cross of Gallantry; Scuba Pin and Rifle Expert Badge. At one point in his service, he was shot down in a helicopter and at another point in his service, he was captured by enemy forces in Laos. He was a POW for 32 days, being kept in a cage during that time. He was involved in numerous “search and destroy missions” and was present at the fall of Saigon. All these things had a great effect on Scott who by nature was a very empathetic person.

Upon honorable discharge as Sergeant in June of 1975 from the Marine Corp, Scott returned to Veneta, where he did his best to return to a life he no longer knew. He helped in running the family business, Bailey’s Shoe Grease Company, and helped care for his two grandmothers who both lived with the family, one with Alzheimer’s and one with emphysema. He also helped with the care and raising of his younger sister Andi and his niece Michelle and nephew Michael, which kept him busy! Scott also turned to one of the loves of his life, mechanic work, and often lost himself in some motor of an old car he found.

Scott was pursued by his demons from his Vietnam War experiences and did his best to control and treat those demons and keep them from surfacing around friends and family. He was a very compassionate man, with a strong sense of family values and a sense of honor and pride. All who had any contact with him, whether on his good side or bad side, they knew he had about himself a sense of honor and instilled that in those who looked up to him.

Scott ran an “informal” wrecking yard, in addition to helping with the family business, and had a tow truck business as well. He often attracted some “less than desirable” types but typically, they remained loyal and honorable to him, even if they were not to anyone else. Scott had a way with people, was a good one for practical jokes and could tell a tall tale so convincingly quite often it was hard to tell if it was true or not. He enjoyed playing on his older sister’s gullible nature, and could convince her of most anything, no matter how crazy it sounded. He was protective over all women, especially his sisters, much to his little sister’s dismay quite often when she was interested in dating. No one wanted to cross Scott and risk his wrath!

Family was important to Scott; in his eyes, his mother was “perfect”. He spent most of his life after the service living with or near his mother, except for his stay in New Mexico. When his mother passed in 2009, not long after she retired, she came to New Mexico and stayed with him and his family in her final months of life.

A highlight in Scott’s life was the birth of his daughter Trinity in October of 1977, with her mother Lynn Muzsek. She was the light of her Papa’s eye and could do no wrong! Then 10 years later, he was blessed with another highlight in his life when his son Derek was born, to his (later) wife Tammy Reese. His children meant the world to him and the birth of his son found him moving to New Mexico to be near his wife and son. In New Mexico, Scott gained a whole new following of friends and family!

Near the end of 2010, Scott came to Harney County to help his sister Andi, who had recently lost her husband. He stayed with her all through 2011 and into the beginning of 2012. Thanks to his Veteran status, and his gregarious personality, he made friends throughout the county from all walks of life.

Scott was always a protector of those who needed him most. He had his faults certainly, and you really never wanted to loan him your car unless you had another one to drive because he might not bring it back for a few days but no matter how aggravated one got at him, it was hard to stay mad at him. He brought a smile to your face, or fear in your heart if you crossed his family. He was fiercely loyal, extremely sensitive and the best brother, father, grandfather, son, uncle or friend a person could ever hope to have.

Scott was preceded in death by his father, Ken Wise; his mother, Joan Wise.

He is survived by his family – his older sister, Sherry (Roger) Kirkpatrick (Burns, Ore.); his younger sisters, Andi Harmon (Burns, Ore.), and Leah King (Portland, Ore.); his daughter, Trinity Muzsek-Wise (Springfield, Ore.); his son, Derek Wise (Albuquerque, N.M); his two precious granddaughters, Keely Muzsek-Wise and Jocelyn; his beloved grandson, Paul; his niece, Michelle; his nephew, Michael; and numerous great-nieces and nephews and cousins. He is also survived by the hundreds (thousands?) of lives he has touched all over the country and will be remembered by all.

Scott is being cremated and a service will be held May 15, 2021 at a location to be later determined.

Expressions of sympathy may be made in whichever way(s) you wish. Flowers, donations, photos, stories, memories and cards are welcomed by his family. His last big wish was to sell “all his stuff” and put it towards his granddaughter’s college tuition. Anyone who wishes to honor him by helping support his family is requested to make a contribution to a trust set up in his name. The family respectfully requests that any monetary donations be made through Wells Fargo in care of “Scott Wise aka PapaKool”.