Ralph F. Scott II

President

Ralph F. Scott II is our president. He is a 1967 Magna Cum Laude graduate of the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science (CCMS) where he is a member of the Mu Sigma Alpha academic fraternity and a Life Member of the Cincinnati Foundation for Mortuary Education. Ralph is a Vietnam era Air Force veteran where he served as a weatherman. He joined his late father, Ralph F. Scott Sr., in business September 28,1964. Ralph is a Distinguished Past-President of the Portsmouth Kiwanis Club, a member of the Kiwanis Legion of Honor, the American Legion, the Sons of Union Veterans, a member of The Friends of the Hunley, a contributor to the Wounded Warriors Project and a Kentucky Colonel. He is also an avid genealogy buff, being the unofficial genealogist of his father and mother's families.

Telephone: 1-740-353-4161

Email: 

Dawn Scott, CFSP

Vice President

Dawn Scott, CFSP, represents the third generation of the Scott family to lead the Ralph F. Scott Funeral Home. A Portsmouth High School graduate from 1983, she holds the distinction of being Scioto County’s first Bachelor-prepared mortuary science graduate. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science in 1987, where she was president of the Alpha Tau Epsilon professional fraternity.

Ms. Scott earned her CFSP designation by completing continuing education requirements beyond those mandated by the state of Ohio for licensure. She contributed over three decades to the Ohio Funeral Directors Association Board of Directors while serving as president of OFDA District #10.

Her achievements include recognition as Funeral Professional Partner of the Year by Lifeline of Ohio for leadership in organ donation advocacy, Woman of the Year by the Portsmouth Business and Professional Women’s Club, and Chamber Member of the Year by the Portsmouth Area Chamber of Commerce.

In addition to her professional commitments, Ms. Scott serves on the Connex Board of Directors, supporting initiatives to foster social engagement through outdoor activities such as hiking and kayaking. Her interests extend to kayaking, camping, cycling, hiking, SCUBA diving, and needlework.

She is the proud mother to Sean, a recent graduate from Ohio University, and she has two rescue dogs, a mini-schnauzer named Wolfie, and Teddy Bear, an adorable dachshund.

Telephone: 1-740-353-4161

Jim Kolar

Funeral Director

 Jim Kolar joined the funeral home staff in November 2024, offering an extensive background in management, patient care, and personalized service for individuals and families.

As a licensed funeral director, Mr. Kolar is available to assist you with pre-planning and at-need funeral arrangements.

A native of Bradley, Ohio, Jim graduated from Buckeye North High School in 1985 and earned his Bachelor of Science in Sport Sciences from Ohio University in 1990. After graduation, he relocated to Columbus and served as a fitness instructor at the former Continental Athletic Club.

In 1991, Mr. Kolar began his tenure at Southern Ohio Medical Center’s LIFE Center as an Exercise Physiologist, where he dedicated 16 years to supporting outpatients within the Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Program and assisting LIFE Center members in achieving their health and fitness objectives.

In 2008, he advanced to the role of Manager of the LIFE Centers, overseeing three facilities, and earned a Master of Arts in Healthcare Administration from Central Michigan University. During his time at SOMC, Jim also contributed as Race Director for the annual Run for Your LIFE 5k/10k events and coordinated activities for both the American Heart Association Heart Walk and the local Multiple Sclerosis walk. His employment at SOMC concluded in 2020 due to workforce reductions stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2023, while employed as a seasonal groundskeeper at Greenlawn Cemetery, Jim reconnected with longtime LIFE Center member Dawn Scott, who recommended he pursue a career in funeral service. Subsequently, one week later he joined the staff of the Ralph F. Scott Funeral Home.

Mr. Kolar completed a two-year apprenticeship with the State of Ohio Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors in December 2025, successfully passed the state board examination, and is now licensed as a Funeral Director in Ohio.

Jim resides in Wheelersburg with his wife, Jill (Johnson), and their pets, Lucy the dog, and cats Henry and Lila.

John R. Pendland

Associate

John R. Pendland joined the funeral home in 2004 as our "right hand man". A former licensed funeral director, John left funeral service to pursue other interests in 1981. Upon retirement from the insurance industry, he joined us and is an invaluable asset to our firm performing any task that is asked of him. He has a Bachelor of Industrial Technologies degree from Ohio University, and is a very active member of St. Peter in Chains Catholic Church in Wheelersburg, where he is the cemetery sexton.

Patty A. Scott

Associate

Patty Scott, Ralph's wife, performs many tasks at our funeral home. An Air Force veteran, she worked for 22 years in the medical field prior to joining the family business in 2002 as a non-licensed employee. Some of Patty's duties include delivering death certificates, working visiting hours and she is the driving force behind our beautiful, award-winning landscaping each spring. She is always there to offer her help no matter the hour and is a very valuable asset to the business. Patty is a 1981 graduate of the Institute of Medical Technology and she is a former member of the Portsmouth Salvation Army Advisory Board.

Dennis Dawes

Associate

We welcomed Dennis Dawes, Minister, to our funeral home staff in July, 2020. Dennis is the retired pastor at Portsmouth’s Central Church of Christ where he served the community for 36 years. A 1972 graduate of Kentucky Christian University, he and his wife Joan are the parents of three sons: Andy, a Sergeant with the Portsmouth Police Department; Daryn, the Minister of the Centerburg, Ohio Church of Christ; and Steve, Music Minister with Capri Christian Church in Naples, FL.  He also serves as Director of BARNABAS MINISTRIES, a ministry of encouragement. He and Joan enjoy spending their free time with their children and seven grandchildren.

Beth Walker

Associate

Beth Walker, RN, is a retired Registered Nurse from Southern Ohio Medical Center. She assists in preparation of the facility for services and works visitations when needed.

Beth is the mother of three grown children and a Rosemount area native.