Neal Giffin Scarlett, 85, of West Lafayette, passed away at 4:27 a.m., Tuesday, November 23, 2021, at The Springs of Lafayette.
Neal was born September 5, 1936, in New Market, TN to the late Neal and Ollie Frances (Giffin) Scarlett. He was a 1954 graduate of Jefferson High School in Jefferson City, TN. Neal graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from the University of Tennessee in 1958. During his time at Tennessee, Neal was a member of Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity, President of the Dairy Club, and served as the College of Agriculture representative on the Student Council. Neal was also on the Dairy Judging team as well as a member of the Omicron Delta Kappa Leadership Fraternity.
He was a member of the Air National Guard Reserves and completed basic training in January of 1959.
Neal married his college sweetheart, a University of Tennessee girl, Patricia Anne Taylor on August 14, 1959, at the Dandridge United Methodist Church in Dandridge, TN; a marriage that lasted 38 years until her passing on January 8, 1998.
Neal was a devoted member of St. John’s Episcopal Church of Lafayette. Over the years, he served as an usher for countless Sunday services, which gave him the opportunity to welcome as many folks as possible—often by name.
When asked what he did for a living, “fertilizer peddler” was his standard response. Neal was in fertilizer sales & marketing management, working for Sohigro (the Ag Science division of the former Sohio Chemical Company), prompting his move from Ohio to West Lafayette to be the District Manager until retiring in 1987.
An avid golfer, Neal immensely enjoyed his many friendships and time spent at the Elks Country Club in West Lafayette. He was part of the leadership at the Elks for many years, even serving as Exalted Ruler.
Neal also enjoyed staying busy with his many rental properties in West Lafayette and Lafayette; he jokingly liked to refer to himself as a “real estate mogul”. Above all, Neal modeled what it meant to be a gentleman, with his southern accent, warm personality and great smile. Known to his friends as “Giff”, he greeted everyone by name with a story and a (big) laugh.
Surviving are his children, Anne Michelle Scarlett (husband: Christian Hansel) of Chicago, IL and Sean Taylor Scarlett (wife: Gina) of Seattle, WA; a sister, Frances Cunningham (husband: Joe) of Tennessee and two granddaughters, Sidney and Linsey.
Preceding him in death with his parents and wife, Pat, is a brother, Sam Scarlett.
Friends may call from 3 p.m. until the time of the Celebration of Life service at 4 p.m. (EST) Saturday, December 4, 2021, at St. John’s Episcopal Church (600 Ferry St. Lafayette, IN 47901); Rev. Dr. Hilary Brooke to officiate. Private interment to occur prior in the church burial gardens.
Mr. Scarlett cared deeply about others and was a longtime participant in the food pantry at his church. As such, in lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the St. John’s Episcopal Church to be distributed to the Lafayette Urban Ministry Food Pantry.
Share memories and online condolences at www.clapperfuneralservices.com
