Eugene Frick Scott

Gene Scott, 65, the engineer who designed and oversaw the construction of Wilson’s Greenlight Community broadband network, passed away early Saturday, February 12, 2022.

Gene, born Eugene Frick Scott on May 6, 1956, in Columbia, South Carolina, to John Walter and Vera Frick Scott, had metastatic pancreatic cancer and was admitted to SECU Hospice House in Smithfield a day before passing.

The family moved to Wilson in 1962 when Gene’s father became the managing editor of the Wilson Daily Times.  Gene attended the public schools of Wilson and graduated from Fike High School in 1974 and East Carolina University in 1979 with a degree in Industrial Technology.  His degree served the public well in his 28-year career with Carolina Telephone and then in his 15-year career with the City of Wilson as General Manager of Outside Plant, overseeing the city’s broadband network.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents, his in-laws, Ben and Anne Shepard, and by many beloved aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife of 42 years, Emily; three daughters, Elizabeth Scott of Clayton, Catherine Barnes and husband, Travis of Bailey, and Bennett Mundy and husband, Matthew of Wilson; three grandsons, William Merritt Barnes, Walter Scott “Wally” Barnes, and Russell Eugene Douglas “Red” Mundy; brother, Walter Ross Scott and sister-in-law, Kathy Verkuilen of Hope Mills; uncle, William T. Scott of Sylacauga, Alabama; cousin, Anne F. Coward of Columbia, South Carolina; sister and brother-in-law, Sarah and Jeff Swartz of Clinton; nephew, Luke Swartz of Jacksonville, Florida; his brother, sister, nieces and nephew in love, Gray, Susan, Kirk and wife, Giselle and Mary-Gray Southern, as well as his entire Greenlight family and Kenly United Methodist Church family, and his family pets and grand pets, Nala, Leo, Domino, Eli, Ruby, and Diffie.

The family will receive friends Tuesday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. at Joyner’s Funeral Home, 4100 Raleigh Road Parkway, Wilson.  Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, February 16, 2022, at Kenly United Methodist Church, 201 E 2^nd Street, Kenly with Rev. Paul Dunham and Rev. Dr. Gray Southern officiating.  Inurnment will follow in Halifax United Methodist Church Cemetery, 19 S. Granville Street, Halifax at 3 p.m. with Rev. Avery Lail officiating.

Memorial gifts are suggested to SECU Hospice House, 426 Hospital Road, Smithfield, North Carolina 27577 or Kenly United Methodist Church, 201 E 2^nd Street, Kenly, North Carolina 27542.

Condolences directed to Joyner’s Funeral Home and Crematory at www.joyners.net.