Life returns to Arbor Way home

BARSTOW • The reconstruction of Kennedy Scott’s burned house at 750 Arbor Way during the last 11 months has mirrored the return of peace to Scott’s life since his wife was murdered last December.

Nearly a year after the fire and the murder of Kennedy’s wife, Evelyn Scott, the house is full of activity. Various contractors came and went from the house Wednesday morning and no trace of the fire is noticeable. The garage has a new floor, the kitchen has new appliances and a retaining wall planter complete with palm trees is in the backyard.

“(Evelyn) had just retired and wanted that wall done,” Kennedy said. “The blocks were already back there. I just had to start doing it. I tore out the garage floor myself. My psychiatrist said it was helping me get aggression out.”

Now that the final steps to repair the house are winding down Kennedy said he is preparing to return to the house. He said if the TV is installed and everything else went as planned he would stay the night at his home Wednesday.

Kennedy said he hasn’t had the feeling of home since the night of the fire and violence that took his wife on Dec. 12. Kennedy and his son, Adam Scott, have spent the last 11 months living with family and in an RV since firefighters discovered Evelyn’s body in the house after responding to a fire.

Thomas Deshawn Reed, 20, was convicted on charges of first-degree murder, robbery, burglary, two counts of receiving stolen property, arson and vehicle theft in September in connection with Evelyn’s death.

Kennedy said although work on the house has helped and average life is bearable, there are times he still struggles.

“Day to day life is great, but it’s just those times when I am going to bed and waking up that are the worst,” Kennedy said. “The times that you spend alone with your wife. The times you expect them there without thinking.”

In addition to losing his wife and home Kennedy has been off of work through the Family Medical Leave Act since December. He works as the lead air conditioning and heating systems specialist for IAP Worldwide Services, a company that provides public works and other services for the government, at Fort Irwin.

Kennedy may have been absent from work, but his coworkers from IAP have not forgotten him. The company has dedicated its annual Thanksgiving food basket program in Evelyn’s memory and expanded it to include Christmas. The 2009 program will be called “The Evelyn Scott Memorial Holiday Food Basket Program.” The program provides food baskets to IAP families, Fort Irwin soldiers and if possible to Barstow residents in need.

David Jensen, the public works facility inspector and quality assurance representative for IAP at Fort Irwin, said the program and Kennedy’s absence was brought up when the company was having a meeting recently.

“It just seemed like the natural thing to do,” Jensen said. “The project was kind of his baby and Evelyn was such a part of this community as well. We just want this to get as big as possible to be the best possible remembrance.”
Kennedy didn’t find out about the company’s decision until he got a letter in the mail this week.

“I was just surprised and shocked,” Kennedy said. “It’s so amazing that a company would do that. I’m honored.”
Jensen said that the program is looking for everything for a Thanksgiving meal from turkeys to yams. He said money to buy food and other items is also welcome.

Jensen said that anyone that wants more information or wants to donate to the program can contact him at (760) 380-4667, Shirley Miller at (760) 380-7428 or Cindee Blunk at (760) 380-6911. He also said he can arrange times for food pick ups in the Barstow area. Kennedy said that people that have no way to get food to Fort Irwin can also contact him at (760) 221-6277.

Contact the writer:
(760) 256-4126 or dheldreth@desertdispatch.com