On September 5, 2025, after a warrior’s battle with lung cancer, Robert Scott Jackson passed peacefully in his home. It’s tempting to frame his passing as a tragedy, but he didn’t see it that way. As he often reminded his family, “I’m a lucky man. I’ve gotten more in this life than I deserve.”
If Scott could write this himself, he would tell you that he had the ride of a lifetime. He was born to parents Mildred and R.A. Jackson, who loved him so deeply it “was almost embarrassing.” His dad reportedly used to walk a half step behind him—that’s how proud he was. His sisters, Mary Turner, Molly Jackson, and Nancy Bryant, quickly joined the fan club (and remain dedicated members).
At 21, Scott met and married the love of his life, Jane Yarrington. Their love story was both ordinary and extraordinary at the same time. They laughed hard and often. There was a time when his children worried he might lose his sharp sense of humor, since their mom gave up the laughs too easily. Alas, she never stopped. In all, they spent 52 years steadily and gently adoring each other.
Scott spent the majority of his career as the executive director of a community mental health center in Cherokee County, Kansas. When he started, there were fewer than ten people on staff. His vision was to create a beautiful building that offered a full array of services. By the time he retired, that vision had been realized. One of the lowest-income counties in Kansas now has a state-of-the-art mental health center that provides a wide range of services, along with an affordable gym facility for the community.
As successful as he was in his work, the role he excelled at most was fatherhood. He was supportive of his children’s meaningful pursuits, and equally enthusiastic about their nonsense. He rarely turned down an opportunity to help Kaitlin build a doomed invention or to proudly display one of Kasey’s better-than-average art pieces.
He will be deeply missed, but we are grateful for the countless reminders of his love and presence that surround us every day. Kaitlin’s oldest, Remi Roll, is the spitting image of Scott. And Kasey— not to be outdone—welcomed her third child, Scottie Noll, just in time for Grandpa to hold his namesake before moving on. Scott also leaves behind three other grandchildren: Leo Noll (who never let Grandpa win a wheelchair race), Lincoln Noll (his favorite doctor to be treated by), and Acelyn Roll (who—for reasons no one knows—lovingly called him “Pecca Jack”). He is also survived by his son-in-law, Danny Noll, and daughter-in-law, Rachelle Roll. He was immensely proud of both.
The depth of his relationships is evident in the outpouring of loving texts, emails, and calls he received from lifelong friends and newer friends, as well as from family in his last few months.
There’s no “right” way to say goodbye to a man like Scott. But we’re going to try our best. Scott’s After Party will be held on October 11 at 6pm at 2201 Edenderry Drive, Crescent Springs, Ky. In honor of Scott, flannel is encouraged but not required. To pay homage to his legendary storytelling, we’ll have a mic open for a round of “Best Story About Scott Wins.”
Finally, children with disabilities were close to Scott’s heart—both because he grew up with a disability himself and because he had a grandson with a disability. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to DMI Children’s Foundation (dmicf.com), an organization dedicated to ensuring every child has access to a cutting-edge therapy that has helped his grandson Leo immeasurably.
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