Marshall Scott "Scott" Kays, 64 of Moorhead, MN passed away on Friday, June 4, 2021 at his home.

Private Graveside Services will be held at the Bagley City Cemetery in Bagley, MN.

Marshall Scott Kays was born March 20, 1957 in Thief River Falls, MN to Marshall Philip "Phil" Kays and Beverly Jane "Bev" (Vik) Kays. He was baptized in 1957 and was confirmed in 1972, both at Trinity Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls. In 1975, Scott graduated from Lincoln High School in Thief River Falls. After high school, Scott pursued multiple paths, first attending the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, where he also played football.  He later attended Northland Technical College in Thief River Falls and later apprenticed as a Surgical Technologist.

Scott worked as an Orderly, an Emergency Medical Technician, and a Surgical Technologist at Northwest Medical Center in Thief River Falls where he met his future wife. Scott married Cathleen "Cathie" Larson on December 6, 1980. He and Cathie moved to Yuma, AZ where he worked as a Surgical Technologist at the Yuma Regional Medical Center. They had two of their children while living in Yuma and their third after moving back to MN to be closer to family. Scott spent the majority of his career working in Accounting at the VA Hospital in Fargo, ND. Scott retired out on disability 10 years ago.

Scott enjoyed playing football, hockey, and baseball for Lincoln High School. After high school, he could often be found playing softball with three of his brothers in Thief River Falls or with others wherever he lived. As an EMT, he loved blowing the English Siren on the ambulance whenever he got the opportunity. He loved driving anywhere he could; especially long road trips including trips to the North Shore in Minnesota where he enjoyed watching ships pass through the harbor in Duluth. He enjoyed playing football at UND, picnics (sun, rain, or snow) at parks where he would play catch with his kids, attending any of his kids activities when they were young, and doing crossword puzzles. He was always proud, supportive, and excited for his children's accomplishments and wanted to give them every opportunity he may have missed. Scott would often tell stories about the time he and his brother Mark went to Sault Saint Marie, MI and visited the Soo Locks Harbor and the time his two oldest kids, Andy and Lindsay, tipped over and broke a TV and blamed it on their younger brother Brady, who was only an infant at the time.

As family members, we choose to remember Scott at his best. We will remember him as a loving father who loved time with his family, sports, and road trips. Anyone that knew Scott likely won't forget his large stature, his gentle nature, or his booming laugh.

Survivors include his children Marshall Andrew "Andy" (Rochelle) Kays of Moorhead, MN; Lindsay (Tom) Knakmuhs of Dilworth, MN; and Brady (Brittany) Kays of Fargo, ND. Grandchildren Kenadi (12), Caleb (9), and Cullen (6) Kays of Moorhead, MN; and Kali (15) and Trey (12) Knakmuhs of Dilworth, MN. Brothers Thomas Kays of Thief River Falls, MN; Christopher (Carla) Kays of West Fargo, ND; and David Kays of Chanhassen, MN. Niece and nephews Jonathan Kays (fiancée Kaitlyn Skalet), Brian Kays (friend Elizabeth Brauer), Sydney (Brady) Syverson, and Christian Kays. And a great-nephew Brink Syverson.

Scott is preceded in death by his parents Phil and Bev Kays, brother Mark Kays, an infant sister, sister-in-law Dianne Kays, aunt Margaret (Vik) Payne, grandparents Marshall and Emma Kays, Lewy and Jeanette Vik, and step-grandmother Mildred Vik.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Scott's family to cover the cost of things left undone by visiting https://gofund.me/8719758b