Scott Dudley Kadow

Scott Dudley Kadow age 66 died suddenly at his home in Longview on June 21, 2022.

He was born Dec. 8, 1955, in Vancouver, WA. to Roy and Beulah Kadow. Scott was raised in a houseboat on the Columbia River with his five brothers and sisters and graduated from Evergreen High School.

Despite a water accident leading to Scotty becoming a quadriplegic, he pursued a career in trucking. Scott recently retired and moved to Longview to return to his roots living on the Columbia River.

In 1988, Scott married his best friend Mary Rohlfing who was his partner in life for 34 years at the time of his death.

Scott was preceded in death by his parents, Beulah (Boots) and Roy.

He is survived by his wife, Mary; five siblings, Leroy (Tina), Gail Kadow Loren, Lloyd (Beverly), Karen (John Beitey), and Steve (Marlene); 19 nieces and nephews; and numerous great-nieces and great-nephews.

Scotty lived his life to the fullest through the simple pleasures of spending time with family and friends, days on the river, working on projects, building furniture, traveling to warmer climates, and taking his great nieces and nephews for hair-raising wheelchair rides. Scott had a passion for old cars and owned several gems throughout his life, his most prized being his 1970 Cougar. Scotty watched this car roll onto the lot at the dealership while working and decided then and there it would one day be his. He was also known for his jet boat “The Hummingbird.”

Scott was stubborn, intelligent, and determined. He made lemonade out of every lemon given to him and never asked why when presented with more than his fair share of them in life. He taught those around him that anyone can do anything. So, when you think you can’t do something, “Scotty up” and do it anyway.

As a quadriplegic, Scotty defied the odds by driving dump trucks, excavators, and boats better than most. He spent many days in the ocean on his trusty crutches digging clams. He built beautiful cabinetry and furniture from scratch and drove his chair way too fast, way too often. Scotty lived life big, fast, and full tilt. If he didn’t know how to do it, he taught himself how. If he wanted something, he went after it with everything he had. If you spent any time with Scotty, you knew the fastest way to make him angry was to underestimate him.

Scotty touched many lives with his generosity and passion for life. Although he had no children of his own, Scotty was a father figure to so many in his life. The hole left from his death is large and won’t soon be filled.

Family and friends are invited to a celebration of life gathering on July 17, 2022, from 1-dusk at Abrams Park in Ridgefield, WA. (400 Abrams Park Rd, Ridgefield, WA 98642).

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the WoundedWarriorProject.org.