Scott Patrick Phillips was a big brother, friend, and son who lived every day with gusto. All who knew him loved Scott for his humor and zest for life. He made lifelong friends growing up in the small town of Newton, KS, as well as many more friends in college at Kansas State and in Phoenix, AZ, where he moved after graduating with a degree in business.

Scott was a great leader; joining leadership councils became a passion for him, as well as a place where he found his niche. Scott honed his leadership skills after high school as he delivered motivational speeches to middle and high school students throughout the country.

During college, Scott was president of his freshman, sophomore and junior classes and of his college fraternity and the student body during his senior year. When he gave the class speech at graduation, his motto and mantra for life was stated that day: “Carpe Diem!”

“Scott believed that our lives may change and our paths may take different courses throughout our lives, but we should always be thankful for the time we have and to live our lives to the fullest,” remembered his mother Sally.

On November 24, 2001, 29-year-old Scott was killed in an unfortunate incident. As a traveling nurse, Sally was living in Phoenix at the time and knew what it meant when she was asked to enter a quiet room. “As a family, we all knew that organ donation was something Scott wanted, and soon the decision was made to start the process. Scott was able to save eight lives that night.

“Throughout all of the pain, the fact that he was able to help so many people has been what has made us able to bear the loss of such a wonderful man. Scott’s fraternity brothers and friends put on an annual golf tournament, where we honor Scott and bring organ donation to light. This past year, we had 144 golfers and every one of them signed to be an organ donor! We have met the young woman who received his heart and nothing can compare to that feeling!”

Organ donation has become the Phillips family’s passion, and Sally works closely with Midwest Transplant in Kansas. “We tell Scott’s story in order to inspire others as well as share his life, so that his life can make a difference in someone else’s life,” Sally stated. “We miss him every day, and one day my grandchildren will know how wonderful and special their Uncle Scott was and the many lives he touched while on this earth and when he left.”