Clinton J Scott

Clinton Scott, 90, passed away on April 10th, 2026 at Eventide Senior Living Community in Jamestown, ND. His life was a blessing to his family and friends. Born to Walter and Rose Scott on January 10, 1936 at a remote farm house in Lamoure County, Clinton was raised in Dickey County on the Scott family farm near Merricourt, ND. Clinton enjoyed reminiscing about events during his childhood around the small town of Merricourt, including tales of shenanigans relating to the horse hitching post that was outside the tiny schoolhouse. Merricourt was without a doubt a small town, with a peak population of 153 persons in the year 1940.

One of six brothers, Clinton is survived by his wife Lavern, two brothers – Lyle and Clifford, two children – David and Mark, many nieces and nephews, five grandchildren and one great granddaughter.

He was preceded in death by his father, Walter, his mother, Rose, and brothers Orvan, Milton, and Arnold.

Clinton married Lavern Sippert on June 21st, 1964 in Eureka, SD at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ. The couple faithfully attended the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Jamestown where Clinton served as a Trustee and Deacon and served as President for the Men’s Fellowship.

Clinton served in the National Guard from 1954-65 while he worked road construction and other jobs before transitioning to a career in law enforcement which began with the Jamestown Police Department in 1963-65. After graduating from the State Patrol Academy he resided briefly in Elgin, ND where he started his career as a State Patrolman, relocating a few years later back to Jamestown, ND. Clinton’s duties with the State Patrol included work as a weapons instructor and as a member of a tactical response team. He was State Trooper #269, although he was known better as “Scotty”, or in the days of CB Radio, “Trail Boss.” Clinton retired from the North Dakota State Patrol in 1995 after 30 years of service.

During his early career with the State Patrol, Clinton was a crack shot with a pistol and placed top-three in many state-wide law enforcement revolver-shooting competitions. He enjoyed hunting, family history, and all types of outdoor recreation.

Family was important to Clinton and he stayed in touch with all his children and grandchildren. His easy-going nature and sense of humor ensured that his grandchildren were always interested in chatting with grandpa and learning old-school phrases such as “see a man about a horse.” His grandchildren also learned from Clinton about early farm life in North Dakota before the days of electricity or indoor plumbing, including wonderful stories about ice block delivery, constructing outhouses, and cantankerous barn cats.

Clinton loved hunting and the outdoors. His greatest recreational pleasure each Fall was to go deer hunting. He continued as long as he was able, although he became mobility-limited later in life.

His funeral will be held 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, April 15, 2026 at the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Jamestown, ND. Burial will be at the Highland Home Cemetery in Jamestown, ND, with a lunch afterwards.