Thomas “Scott” Minugh

Scott Minugh

Thomas “Scott” Minugh (67) of Des Moines, Washington, passed away peacefully at his home on June 12, 2025, after bravely battling a rare form of cancer. Born in Seattle on September 26, 1957, Scott grew up in Bellevue, where he graduated from Sammamish High School  in 1976. He married his wife Rita and became a stepfather to two daughters. He resided in Des Moines for the past 32 years.

Scott had a successful career in auto body, retiring 3 years ago, but always made time for family and his many diverse hobbies, which he was very passionate about. He raised tropical fish with his father starting in high school, autocrossed a 1965 Mustang, grew and showed dahlias, competed in bench rest target shooting, custom painted gun stocks, was very skilled in wood turning, taught pottery with classes on how to make glazes, loved to salmon fish at Shilshole, and most recently after retiring volunteered at the local foodbank and completed a bucket list wish of having a large cut flower garden, including growing dahlias again.

He was a lifetime learner and made many friends pursuing his passions, but was also a lifetime teacher, eagerly sharing his expertise in his various hobbies with anyone who wanted to learn more.  He will be very missed but will be remembered for his kindness, gentle smile and generous sharing of knowledge from all of his hobbies.

Scott is survived by his wife LaRita Pfau, stepdaughters Alyssa (Joe) Trenkamp and Sharalee (Derek) Conom, sisters Teresa (Mike) Borkan and Julie McMorran, brother Bryan Minugh, grandsons Dean and Liam Trenkamp and Archie and Preston Conom, and nephews Michael and Aaron McMorran. He was preceded in death by his parents Thomas and Maralee “Mitzi” Minugh and brother Jeff Minugh.

A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, July 13th from 2-6 p.m. at Des Moines Beach Park Picnic Shelter, 22030-C Cliff Ave S, Des Moines, WA, 98198.