Two weeks ago yesterday, I received a phone call that changed our lives forever. Standing in the middle of campus on my cell phone, I listened as Steve blurted out the crackly details: Fell. Shop. Scott. Forehead. Coma. Air-lifted. These words came at me in rapid fire succession. My only response was to shout back clarification:

“Are you talking about Scott?”
“Yes.”
“Is he okay?”
“No.”

I sprinted across campus to my office, blurted out a tearful explanation to my coworkers, packed up and headed home. From there, we gathered a couple changes of clothes, grabbed the kids and headed straight for the hospital, 9 long hours away.

As it turned out, Scott was far from okay. He had suffered what we would come to find out was a devastating brain injury, and we would spend the rest of the week realizing the true extent of what that term – devastating – meant: On Sunday, shortly after 10:15am, Scott passed away.

Throughout the course of those 5 long days, and into the week that followed, we were given a glimpse into Scott’s life that will forever bring us peace and comfort. Far from the oft-painted portrait of a work-focused loner, we stood witness to the countless stories of a guy who was a friend, a mentor, a confidant – someone who consistently managed to help people laugh, learn and grow. I will never in my lifetime forget watching his crew come into the hospital that last Friday night to say their good-bye, hearing their stories as they sat, swollen-eyed and stunned telling tales of how this perfectionist of a boss left such a deep imprint on who they were and who they had become as men. It was truly heartbreaking.

Within all the grief and confusion and unanswered questions, one of the aspects of Scott’s death in which I find the most sadness is the seemingly vast loss of potential. The loss of opportunity for our kids to get to build that relationship with him – to grow up in the shadow of all those great qualities. The loss of chances for him to have finally found that balance he needed between work, and friends, and family. The loss of all that could have been.

We will miss you so much, Scott. But you’ll be in our hearts forever.

William Scott Walston, age 44, passed away in Fresno, California, on August 22, 2010 due to an industrial accident. Scott was born April 22, 1966 in Fresno to Bill and Judy Walston. He was raised in the Ivanhoe-Visalia area, was a 1984 graduate of Golden West High School and earned a Bachelor’s degree from Whittier College in 1988. Over the years Scott worked in food production plants, such as Eagle Snacks, Stella Cheese, and Haagen-Dazs. Since 2007, he has been owner of Scott Walston Construction. In addition, he enjoyed reading, gardening, cooking, skiing, telling stories and spending time with his niece and nephew. In addition to his parents, Scott is lovingly survived by his brother, Stephen Walston, sister-in-law, Natalie, niece, Stella, and nephew, Porter, all of Eureka, California. He is also survived by his aunts and uncles, Wanda Ginner of Portola Valley, Ginny Massey of Tulelake, Stephen and Janet Bly of Winchester, Idaho, plus numerous cousins. An open Memorial Service will be Friday, August 27, 2010, at 3:00 p.m., at the Woodlake Presbyterian Church. For those who desire, the family suggests donations be made in his memory to your favorite charity or to the American Cancer Society . Graveside services will be private with interment at the Woodlake Cemetery. Arrangements by Miller Memorial Chapel, Visalia, CA.