In Memory Of
Scott Allen Vermillion
1976
2020
Scott Allen Vermillion
December 23, 1976 — December 25, 2020
Scott Allen Vermillion, 44, of Olathe, Kansas passed away during the evening hours of December 25, 2020 at the AdventHealth Hospital in Ottawa, Kansas. Scott was born on December 23, 1976 in Independence, Missouri to his loving parents, David H. Vermillion and Phyllis J. Lamers.
Scott was an active toddler, and the family always loved sports, so when Scott turned 5 years old his parents decided to enroll him in Soccer. His Dad coached Scott after reading a book on 'how to coach soccer' and his Mom was an avid fan, always encouraging.
Little did his parents know at the time, that Scott's athletic prowess would quickly develop, and soccer would become Scott's passion for life. Scott worked hard at the sport he loved. His parents and younger brother, Craig, always supported him and provided avenues he could use for success.
Scott was a multi-sport athlete, playing on a traveling baseball team and high school basketball team, but Scott's passion for, and dedication to the sport of soccer lead him to achieve many titles and accolades so few in sports ever achieve. Scott played throughout his youth with the Olathe Soccer Club developing as an exceptional soccer player. He played varsity soccer as a Freshman at Olathe South, setting school scoring records, and continued his varsity career in his Soph., Jr., and Sr. years at Olathe East. He was the 1994 Kansas High School Male Athlete of the Year and is in the Kansas Soccer Hall of Fame. While in high school, and leading his Olathe East team to great success, Scott's talent and hard work led to an invitation to try out for the U-17 National Soccer Team. He made it and was a starter for the team. His U-17 team won the gold at the CONCACAF games in Cuba, fending off many other nations for the U.S. team to take the championship. This victory led to Scott and his team's participation in the U-17 World Cup in Japan. As Scott's best friend said, "Scott was the best athlete to come out of Olathe, Kansas".
Upon graduation from high school, Scott was offered and accepted a full ride athletic scholarship to the University of Virginia (UVA) where he played from 1995 to 1997 as a starting defender for UVA's soccer team. During his years at UVA, Scott played in two NCAA final four championships. He was also a starting defender for the U-20 National Team and 1997 World University Team. Scott's talent, skill, and passion for the game of soccer led his teammates and fans at UVA, and elsewhere, to nickname him the "Verminator". The defender you did not want to face, smart and tough.
Scott left UVA a year from graduation because he was invited to become a member of the Major League Soccer (MLS) through Project 40. He was just as successful as a Pro as he was throughout his youth, high school, and college days. He played for the Kansas City Wizards, Colorado Rapids and D.C. United. During his Pro career he was also a starting defender with the 1998 United States National Team. Unfortunately, a few years into his Pro career Scott suffered a severe ankle injury in a D.C. United game which led to his retirement from playing soccer.
Scott's soccer prowess and work ethic were extraordinary, but Scott would be the first to talk about his teammates and coaches as one of the keys to his success. Many of Scott's teammates, from youth soccer, high school, college, and the pros, are close friends to this day and are heartbroken by Scott's passing.
While Scott's soccer career is extraordinary, he was much more than soccer. Nothing in life is ever perfect and no one lives a perfect life. What matters most is meeting the ups and downs in life's journey as best you can, and Scott never gave up trying to triumph over life's challenges. Scott was a teaser and often showed his love by kidding with family and friends. Scott was a proud Dad to Braeden and Ava Grace, whom he loved with all his heart. He shared life with his kids, supported them in their endeavors, and loved them. As his daughter Ava said, "I would not be the person I am today without him". His son Braeden would often be on the sidelines with his Dad, as Dad coached the next generation of soccer players; and Dad would be in the stands watching and encouraging his son as he played sports. He was a best friend to his brother Craig who he loved, shown by many things including the sharing of movies and sports. He was smart, having received a Nursing degree from UMKC and becoming part of KU's transplant ICU team. Scott shared his knowledge of soccer and was a mentor to many a young soccer player having coached for the KC Legends Soccer Club for many years. Scott loved his Mom and Dad, loved his family, and had many good friends and loves in his life. Scott left a mark, and he will be missed and loved always. We will always look to Scott for inspiration in knowing what it takes to succeed, and in trying to understand life's challenges.
Scott is survived by his children, Braeden and Ava Grace Vermillion, brother Craig (Liz, Madison, and Cody), stepbrother Dustin Lee (Quyhn), parents David Vermillion (Vicki) and Phyllis Lamers, aunts Patricia Lover (cousin John) and Debra Vermillion (Theresa) and uncle Doug Vermillion (Christy, cousins Sean and Ryan), and many other extended family members and friends. Scott was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, George and Barbara Vermillion and maternal grandparents, Milton A. Stein and Delphine L. Marshalek and step-grandparent John Meese
A Celebration of Life will be held at Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home in Olathe, Kansas on January 5, 2021 at 1:00 pm., Due to COVID restrictions the Celebration of Life will primarily be limited to family members only. Following the service, the Celebration of Life will be available to view online by scrolling down below.
To help others, Scott's brain was donated to the Boston University CTE Center for study. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Boston University CTE Center. CTE is a brain disease involving progressive neurological deterioration common in athletes, military personnel and others who have a history of brain trauma. Gift designations may be made in Scott's name. The link is https://trusted.bu.edu/s/1759/2-bu/index.aspx?sid=1759&gid=2&pgid=422&cid=1060&dids=114&appealcode=WEBMED-DV&bledit=1 (Please copy and paste the URL address into your browser), or you can go to the Boston University CTE Center's website for instructions on how to mail a donation.
To leave a message of condolence for Scott's family or to share a special memory of Scott, please visit the guestbook below.
Scott was an active toddler, and the family always loved sports, so when Scott turned 5 years old his parents decided to enroll him in Soccer. His Dad coached Scott after reading a book on 'how to coach soccer' and his Mom was an avid fan, always encouraging.
Little did his parents know at the time, that Scott's athletic prowess would quickly develop, and soccer would become Scott's passion for life. Scott worked hard at the sport he loved. His parents and younger brother, Craig, always supported him and provided avenues he could use for success.
Scott was a multi-sport athlete, playing on a traveling baseball team and high school basketball team, but Scott's passion for, and dedication to the sport of soccer lead him to achieve many titles and accolades so few in sports ever achieve. Scott played throughout his youth with the Olathe Soccer Club developing as an exceptional soccer player. He played varsity soccer as a Freshman at Olathe South, setting school scoring records, and continued his varsity career in his Soph., Jr., and Sr. years at Olathe East. He was the 1994 Kansas High School Male Athlete of the Year and is in the Kansas Soccer Hall of Fame. While in high school, and leading his Olathe East team to great success, Scott's talent and hard work led to an invitation to try out for the U-17 National Soccer Team. He made it and was a starter for the team. His U-17 team won the gold at the CONCACAF games in Cuba, fending off many other nations for the U.S. team to take the championship. This victory led to Scott and his team's participation in the U-17 World Cup in Japan. As Scott's best friend said, "Scott was the best athlete to come out of Olathe, Kansas".
Upon graduation from high school, Scott was offered and accepted a full ride athletic scholarship to the University of Virginia (UVA) where he played from 1995 to 1997 as a starting defender for UVA's soccer team. During his years at UVA, Scott played in two NCAA final four championships. He was also a starting defender for the U-20 National Team and 1997 World University Team. Scott's talent, skill, and passion for the game of soccer led his teammates and fans at UVA, and elsewhere, to nickname him the "Verminator". The defender you did not want to face, smart and tough.
Scott left UVA a year from graduation because he was invited to become a member of the Major League Soccer (MLS) through Project 40. He was just as successful as a Pro as he was throughout his youth, high school, and college days. He played for the Kansas City Wizards, Colorado Rapids and D.C. United. During his Pro career he was also a starting defender with the 1998 United States National Team. Unfortunately, a few years into his Pro career Scott suffered a severe ankle injury in a D.C. United game which led to his retirement from playing soccer.
Scott's soccer prowess and work ethic were extraordinary, but Scott would be the first to talk about his teammates and coaches as one of the keys to his success. Many of Scott's teammates, from youth soccer, high school, college, and the pros, are close friends to this day and are heartbroken by Scott's passing.
While Scott's soccer career is extraordinary, he was much more than soccer. Nothing in life is ever perfect and no one lives a perfect life. What matters most is meeting the ups and downs in life's journey as best you can, and Scott never gave up trying to triumph over life's challenges. Scott was a teaser and often showed his love by kidding with family and friends. Scott was a proud Dad to Braeden and Ava Grace, whom he loved with all his heart. He shared life with his kids, supported them in their endeavors, and loved them. As his daughter Ava said, "I would not be the person I am today without him". His son Braeden would often be on the sidelines with his Dad, as Dad coached the next generation of soccer players; and Dad would be in the stands watching and encouraging his son as he played sports. He was a best friend to his brother Craig who he loved, shown by many things including the sharing of movies and sports. He was smart, having received a Nursing degree from UMKC and becoming part of KU's transplant ICU team. Scott shared his knowledge of soccer and was a mentor to many a young soccer player having coached for the KC Legends Soccer Club for many years. Scott loved his Mom and Dad, loved his family, and had many good friends and loves in his life. Scott left a mark, and he will be missed and loved always. We will always look to Scott for inspiration in knowing what it takes to succeed, and in trying to understand life's challenges.
Scott is survived by his children, Braeden and Ava Grace Vermillion, brother Craig (Liz, Madison, and Cody), stepbrother Dustin Lee (Quyhn), parents David Vermillion (Vicki) and Phyllis Lamers, aunts Patricia Lover (cousin John) and Debra Vermillion (Theresa) and uncle Doug Vermillion (Christy, cousins Sean and Ryan), and many other extended family members and friends. Scott was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, George and Barbara Vermillion and maternal grandparents, Milton A. Stein and Delphine L. Marshalek and step-grandparent John Meese
A Celebration of Life will be held at Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home in Olathe, Kansas on January 5, 2021 at 1:00 pm., Due to COVID restrictions the Celebration of Life will primarily be limited to family members only. Following the service, the Celebration of Life will be available to view online by scrolling down below.
To help others, Scott's brain was donated to the Boston University CTE Center for study. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Boston University CTE Center. CTE is a brain disease involving progressive neurological deterioration common in athletes, military personnel and others who have a history of brain trauma. Gift designations may be made in Scott's name. The link is https://trusted.bu.edu/s/1759/2-bu/index.aspx?sid=1759&gid=2&pgid=422&cid=1060&dids=114&appealcode=WEBMED-DV&bledit=1 (Please copy and paste the URL address into your browser), or you can go to the Boston University CTE Center's website for instructions on how to mail a donation.
To leave a message of condolence for Scott's family or to share a special memory of Scott, please visit the guestbook below.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Scott Allen Vermillion, please visit our flower store.
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