W. Scot Binns

Walter Scott “Scot” Binns Jr., 76

Walter “Scot” Binns Jr, husband of Patricia A. Binns of Quartz Hill, California, passed away peacefully, in the company of family, on Friday, February 23, 2018. He was born July 14, 1941, in San Pedro, California, a son of Walter Scott Binns Sr. and Peggy Binns.

Scot attended San Pedro High School and graduated in 1959. Following high school, he attended Pierce College where he served as student body president and competed as a member of the college’s rodeo team. He transferred to Fresno State, where he continued to compete in college rodeo and earned his bachelor’s degree. Continuing his education, Scot attended California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, where he received his master’s degree and teaching credential. He completed his student teaching at Santa Paula High School in Ventura County.

Scot’s first full time teaching position was at Rosamond High School, in Kern County, where he spent a few years cultivating young agriculturalist, promoting his students’ involvement in the Future Farmers of America program, supporting his students at the county fair, and chairing the Little Britches Rodeo. Desiring a bigger Ag Department, he moved to Quartz Hill High School, in Los Angeles County, where he spent the remainder of his over-30-year career teaching Agriculture Science, Ag. Mechanics and Horticulture. Countless students entered his classroom to hear things like “you can get there from here”, “Binns wants to know,” and “the smartest man in the room” – all while learning about fruit trees in California, various breeds of horses, how to tie a variety of knots, the skill of welding, the proper way to make a motion, how to tie a tie and the art of a handshake. He received his Honorary American Farmer degree in 1985; it was a wonderful recognition of his work. But for Scot the greatest treat was when a former student would take the time to stop him in the grocery store, introduce his/her family, and say “This is Mr. Binns, one of my high school teachers”.

Scot is survived by his wife of fifty years, Patricia A. Binns, his children, sons Bob (Shannon) Binns and Jim (Rachel) Binns, daughters Jennifer (Darrell) Morales, Kathleen (Steven) Stevenson, and Leslie (Lance) Nelson, daughter in law Betsy Hunter-Binns and a passel of adoring grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his son Walter Scott Binns III, parents Walter Scott Sr and Peggy Binns, sister Evelyn Binkley and brother George Binns.

While Scot’s first love was teaching agriculture, his community was important to him too. He was advisor of the Quartz Hill High School Key Club, participated in the Kiwanis Club, served on the Antelope Valley Fair Livestock Committee and was unapologetically active in Democratic State politics. He was appointed to the North County Planning Commission. Concerned about lack of services to the Antelope Valley area, he ran a grassroots campaign for Los Angeles County Supervisor. While not elected, the voices of his supports were heard clearly.

In retirement Scot was able to devote more time to his favorite hobbies: fishing, reading, plant propagation and beekeeping. He even found himself back in school taking a flyfishing class and was able to practice his new skills near his cabin in Lake Almanor, Plumas County.

Scot’s sense of humor, gift for storytelling and generous spirit will be missed by many. In lieu of flowers the family requests that loved ones consider a memorial donation to the California FFA Foundation at PO Box 186, Galt, CA 95632 or www.calaged.org/Foundation