Obituaries

Remembering Scott Ivers: 'A Family Man'

The Ivers family and many Grosse Pointe residents are preparing for his visitation and funeral, which are Friday. The Grosse Pointe Public Libraries will close for a few hours Friday afternoon so employees will be able to attend the service.

Belle Isle holds a special place in the heart of the Ivers family.

It is where James Scott Ivers spent a great deal of time during his childhood. It is where he and his widow, Tammy Ivers, took their children when they were younger. It is also where Scott propsed to Tammy. They would have been married 18 years in April.

Although the family had spent less time there in recent years, it still represents fond memories and good times, Tammy Ivers said, noting how has not disturbed her memories of the family's time there.

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Tammy Ivers was not expecting her husband's death but after spending some time searching for him herself on Belle Isle along with some relatives, she is relieved he was eventually found. She does wonder why Detroit Police never contacted her after the crash considering the car is in her name, but nothing can undo her husband's unexpected death, so she is not focusing on it.

"I'm at peace. I have no regrets," Tammy Ivers said, explaining the couple's marriage was centered around respect they each had for each other. "We complimented each other well."

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Scott Ivers, 46, grew up in Detroit. He graduated from Lutheran High East in Detroit and attended Wayne State University. Most recently he worked for a contractor of the Detroit Water Board, where he had worked for years. He was an engineer.

As an ever-active person, Scott Ivers was heavily involved in sporting activities with the couple's children: Axel and Erin, both of whom are students at .

From attending and watching Axel's Red Baron games through his football career at South, and Erin's softball games and most recently her cross country meets, Scott Ivers was always there, Tammy Ivers said.

Even as a couple, they often watched or attended the pro-sports games in Detroit, she said, joking that they enjoyed the Pistons games more when the team is winning.

"He was a family man," Tammy Ivers said.

In addition to his love of sports, he loved food, especially Mexican food and frequented Armando's Mexican Restaurant in downtown Detroit. The restaurant was close to where he worked and it was his favorite, Tammy Ivers said.

Growing up in Detroit and then working there for years, Scott Ivers was supportive of the city and pretty much any social justice type of organization in the city. Recently the Ivers family focused their giving on Gleaners Community Food Bank, Tammy Ivers said, noting how thankful Scott Ivers was that both of them had jobs and were able to provide for their children.

"He was a supportive person, a compassionate person," she said, and he always had a smile on his face. "I know he got along with everyone."

His sense of humor centered on entertaining others and would surface randomly, Tammy Ivers said, laughing with their daughter Erin.

In addition to being survived by his wife and children, Scott Ivers is survived by his parents, Nancy and Dave Ivers of St. Clair Shores and his sister Amy Meier of Grosse Pointe Woods.

Not only did Scott Ivers enjoy his immediate family but he and Tammy Ivers took many trips with his parents and always enjoyed spending time togehter, she said, describing the family as small and close.

The family is taking life day by day right now. Some days are better than others, of course, but Tammy Ivers described the sense of relief the discovery of her husband brought to her and the family. She actually began searching for him before police did, joined by some of his friends and her family, she said. She also called many hospitals looking for anyone who may have come in as a John Doe.

The support shown by the community and the family's friends has been overwhelming, Tammy Ivers said. It was the strong sense of community that brought the Ivers to Grosse Pointe Park and that certainly has been reinforced through this unexpected time, she said.

"Everyone has been rallying around us," Tammy Ivers said. "They have been overwhelmingly supportive."

The day after Scott Ivers was found on Belle Isle, a student at Grosse Pointe South began a twitter handle in support of the family, #IversInOurPrayers, which quickly began trending higher than some national topics. Teachers from South also participated and a sea of students and staff dressed in blue that Friday to show their support for their fellow students.

Meanwhile, Allison Baker, a friend of the Ivers family and the president of the Grosse Pointe South Mother's Club, organized an educational trust at Chase Bank for donations to help Tammy Ivers with upcoming college tuition for Axel and Erin. Axel, a senior, will begin college next year and Erin is only a few years behind.

Baker said earlier this week she knew people throughout the community wanted to help and felt this would be a good way to do it. Donations may be made to any Chase Bank and should be directed to The Ivers Children Educational Trust.

The family is asking that donations be made to the trust in lieu of flowers. Online condolensces may be shared on the Kaul Funeral Home's website.

A family visitation is scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday at Historic Trinity Lutheran Church, 1345 Gratiot Ave. in Detroit. A memorial service will follow at 11 a.m. with officiant Dr. David Eberhard and a reception will be held in the church auditorium beginning at 12 p.m.

will be closed Friday afternoon for a few hours so all employees are able to attend the services for Scott Ivers. Tammy Ivers is an employee at the Central Branch.


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