Everyone who had the pleasure of knowing James Scott will be forever saddened to learn of his passing on Saturday, November 11, 2017.

James loved, and lived, this life, like few others. James loved nothing in Heaven or on Earth so much as he loved his beautiful high school sweetheart and wife of 29 years, Shari Moenster Scott and their perfect daughter, Emma Mary Scott. It is to them that he would commend our prayers and invite our fellowship.

Until June of this year James served as Juneau District Attorney in the State of Alaska Department of Law. 

James was born in Decatur, IL, on September 21, 1965. He attended the public schools at Highland, IL, where he excelled at literature, history, and good humor. He competed in high school football, cross-country, and track and field, and served as Class President of the Highland High School Class of 1983. James received a Bachelor's Degree with Honors in Political Science from Illinois State University and his law degree from Saint Louis University School of Law, where he graduated at the top of his class and served as an Editor of the Law Review. Prior to his appointment as Juneau District Attorney James served for 14 years as an Assistant District Attorney in the Ketchikan District Attorney's Office and prior to that in private practice in Belleville, IL, Donovan Rose Nester P.C., and as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for St. Clair County Illinois.

Those who knew James best, in and out of the courtroom, will attest that his unparalleled sense of humor, unfailing kindness, and unique decency, complemented an unmatched fortitude and unflinching courageousness. James was an accomplished attorney who strived to match the integrity and compassion of his foremost role model, Abraham Lincoln. If he could give us parting words, he would earnestly quote our dearest president's Farewell Address:

"My friends, no one, not in my situation, can appreciate my feeling of sadness at this parting. To this place and the kindness of these people, I owe everything... as I hope in your prayers you will commend me, I bid you an affectionate farewell."

He is preceded in death by his older brother, Max; and by his mother, Mary Helen Frederick Scott.

James is survived by, in addition to his beloved wife, Shari Moenster Scott; daughter, Emma Scott; two brothers; his father, Leslie Maxwell Scott of Forrest Park, IL; and countless friends made everywhere he went.