Former Ocoee Mayor S. Scott Vandergrift dies at 77

During his tenure, the city’s population grew from 15,000 residents to more than 40,000.

By Observer Staff
| 1:53 p.m. December 21, 2017

West Orange Times & Observer
News

A LASTING IMPACT

Here is a look at some of S. Scott Vandergrift’s experience in the community:

• Mayor, 1973-75, 1992-2015
• Ocoee commissioner, 1967-69
• Member of the Florida League of Cities, Quality Cities and Environmental Quality Committee
• Member of the United Nations Association of the United States
• Member of the Ocoee Lions Club
• Board member of the West Orange Chamber of Commerce
• Member of the Orange County Civic Facilities Authority
• Member of East Central Florida Planning Council member
• Member of Friends of Lake Apopka (FOLA) member
• Associate member of the West Orange Senior Citizens
• Lifetime honorary member of Florida Sheriff’s Association
• Charter member and past president of the Ocoee Jaycees
• President of Ocoee Volunteer Fire Department
• 16-year charter member of Ocoee Little League. Served as president, assistant district administrator, sponsor, umpire, groundskeeper and coach.
• Founder and president of the Ocoee Water Ski Club
• Sponsor of Ocoee Bulldogs Football
• Member of Rotary Club of Ocoee

OCOEE Former longtime Ocoee Mayor S. Scott Vandergrift was taken off life support and died today, Dec. 21, at age 77.

Vandergrift retired on July 31, 2015, after serving as Ocoee’s mayor for nearly 25 years — nine consecutive terms. He started his public service as a city commissioner from 1967 to 1969. He was first elected mayor in 1973 and served for two years. He was elected mayor again in 1992 and served until his retirement in 2015. During his tenure, the city’s population grew from 15,000 residents to more than 40,000.

A native of Ocoee, Vandergrift — affectionately known as Mayor Scott — cherished the city he called home. He had a lifetime commitment to public service and leaves a lasting legacy.

Scott, an Ocoee native, graduated from Jones Business College with a bachelor’s degree in management and marketing. He served from 1958 to 1960 in the U.S. Navy and had been a licensed real-estate broker and Realtor for more than 30 years.

In addition to his service in Ocoee’s government, Scott participated in the Ocoee Lions Club, Rotary Club of Ocoee, Ocoee Little League, Ocoee Bulldogs, the West Orange Chamber of Commerce and the Ocoee Jaycees. He also served as president of the Ocoee Volunteer Fire Department.

“The city offers its sincere condolences to Mayor Vandergrift’s family, friends and loved ones and to the residents of the city of Ocoee," said Ocoee Mayor Rusty Johnson. "May he rest in peace, and may his memory live on with all who knew him."