David Scott (Georgia politician)|David Scott

David Randolph Scott, 93, passed away peacefully on April 23, 2026, surrounded by family and friends who cherished every moment with him. Born on June 6, 1932, in a small town that never quite knew the excitement of a rocket launch, David grew up dreaming of the stars. He earned his place at West Point, where discipline and curiosity forged the man who would later become a pioneer of human spaceflight. I remember the day he told me he’d been selected as part of NASA’s third astronaut group in 1963—he was barely ten years older than me, yet already a legend in our family. He’d spent nights staring at the night sky, sketching trajectories on napkins, and explaining how the Moon would one day feel like a stone garden. When he finally stepped onto the lunar surface in Apollo 15, he did so with the quiet confidence of a man who had spent his life preparing for that moment. He was the only living commander of a spacecraft that landed on the Moon, and he carried that pride with a humility that inspired everyone around him. David’s passion for adventure extended far beyond the cosmos. He was an avid fly-fisher, often spending long mornings on the nearest lake, his line casting out like a promise of patience. He loved the smell of fresh-cut pine and could spend hours building model rockets in his garage, his hands steady and sure. Even in retirement, he would find a new hobby, whether it was woodworking or teaching a local school how to read the stars. His laughter was infectious, his stories were legendary, and his willingness to help others—whether a stranger needing a lift or a young student struggling with math—was a testament to his generous heart. Family was the center of David’s universe. He married his high school sweetheart, Maria, and together they raised three children who each carried a piece of his adventurous spirit. He was a devoted grandfather, often found teaching his grandchildren how to build a simple telescope or telling them about the lunar regolith. He believed that the greatest legacy one could leave is the love shared in everyday moments, and he lived that belief fully. His influence reached beyond his family; teachers, pilots, and even congressmen remember him as a man who could turn any conversation into a lesson about curiosity, responsibility, and the boundless possibilities of the human spirit. David Scott’s life was a beacon of courage and kindness. He reminds us that the sky is not the limit, but merely the beginning. Though his boots may have left the dust of the Moon behind, his footprints on Earth will last forever in the hearts of those who knew him. He will be deeply missed, dearly loved, and forever honored.