Scott Ka Wagonmaker

Scott Ka Wagonmaker, 75 died peacefully on February 5, 2021 after a wonderful life.

Scott was married to the love of his life, Linda for more than 50 years, until her passing in 2019.  He was the proud father of Jennifer (Dominic) Dale and Ryan (James) Caldwell and the loving grandpa to Joshua (Hannah) Dale, Army Sgt. David “Austin” Dale, Carlos Clark and Jacob, Cloee and Lydia Caldwell.   He was the son of Claus and Eileen Wagonmaker, and the brother of Rodney (Shelby) Wagonmaker. His other family members included: sisters-in-law Bobbi Wagonmaker, JoAnn (Ken) Eddy and Jeanne (Paul) Salisbury and nieces and nephews: Deneen (Brian) Lindberg, Ken Eddy, Paul (Chris) Eddy, Mike (Gina) Salisbury, Kyle Salisbury, Kristie Jacobs, Leesa Rosenbaum, James (Ann) Rosenbaum, Sheri Masters, Jodi Wagonmaker, Jeff (Christel) Wagonmaker and many grandnieces and nephews, and even a few great grand nieces and nephews.

Born and raised in the Kalamazoo area, Scott spent most of his adult life in the maintenance department at Portage Public Schools, after graduating from University High and serving his country in the National Guard as well as short entrepreneur endeavors around the Kalamazoo area. Scott and Linda’s love for collecting and refinishing antiques turned this once hobby into a successful and reputable business called Wagon Wheel Antiques.  Scott was known far and wide for taking baskets and boxes of pieces of mismatched furniture and crafting them into gorgeous Hoosier cabinets, bakers’ cabinets, and the like.  His craftsmanship was evident in the care and talent he took in building tables, desks, and cabinets out of mismatched various furniture and pieces.  When he wasn’t in the shop tinkering with a saw or a hammer you could find him with his other passion: NASCAR.  He was a knowledgeable resource and resident expert about the sport, its’ drivers, and tracks.  For many years he and his dad and brother traveled to Michigan International Speedway to spend Father’s Day and their birthdays together watching races.  After retirement, Scott and Rod traveled to other tracks around the country to watch even more races in person.  Leading the efforts to purchase and refurbish the original Houppert Winery into what is now known as the Lawton Lions Community Center is what Scott may always be remembered for.  His passion and dedication to that building and the Lawton Lions Club was truly evident throughout the years.  The members of the Club honored Scott with the highest award given within the organization-the Melvin Jones Award, one of the first awarded in the Lawton Lions Club.  That along with his Eagle Scout honor from the Boy Scouts of America are among the proudest awards in life. His commitment to the community was not only evident by his passion for the Community Center but also the various other committees and volunteer efforts he participated in over the years including: the Paw Paw Wine & Harvest Festival, the Lawton Summerfest, and volunteering with both the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts.  But being a husband and father to “his girls” was the proudest accomplishment of his life.

Scott married Linda on September 30, 1966.  “Never a dull moment with Scott around” was a phrase Linda repeated often; and it was true.  They traveled together when they both retired, enjoyed going to auctions to search for that next treasure and meeting life-long friends through the antiques business.

Never one to mix words and truly not understand how much power his delivery or word choice mattered, Scott raised his girls Jennie and Ryan to always know and understand that in life it is not always what you know but who you know as well.  He was the loudest voice in the stands while watching Ryan play volleyball and basketball throughout school and was Jennie’s most silent yet loudest cheerleader throughout her various oratory and beauty contests.  He was a strong role model for his six grandchildren; showing them all that laughter is the best medicine.

The family has chosen to celebrate his life in private, no memorial services will be held. Memorial contributions can be made to the Lawton Lions Community Center in honor of Scott Wagonmaker, P.O. Box 192 Lawton, MI 49065