Agent Orange kills local Vietnam vet

Back on Nov. 27, Vietnam veteran Larry Scott predicted he might not live to see Christmas. He did, but only barely.

A 63-year-old Hayden resident, Scott died Monday surrounded by his family at the Hospice House in Coeur d'Alene.

Scott - featured in a story in The Press early last month - was exposed to Agent Orange while fighting in the Vietnam War.

"Dying doesn't scare me," he said in an interview with The Press. "It's the process of getting there that gets you nervous because you just don't know what's next."

During the past six years, Larry has been able to spend some time traveling, going to car shows, camping, boating, fishing and sewing, according to his obituary.

He started a year-long tour in Vietnam in October 1970 after being drafted into the U.S. Army.

He was sent to Vietnam as part of the 101st Airborne, primarily tasked with tracking troop movements.

He was exposed to Agent Orange, a defoliant, while he was near the demilitarized zone that divided North and South Vietnam. He also was likely exposed while spending a month in Vietnam's A Shau Valley.

About 12 years ago, Scott found out he had advanced prostate cancer, spreading beyond his prostate. Cancer struck him early because of his exposure, he said.

By 2006, he found out the cancer had spread to his bones, including vertebrae, ribs, both shoulders and the side of his skull.

After a great deal of chemotherapy over the years, he quit a few months ago.

Scott said he was proud to die because of his military service.

However, he badly wanted to hold out until his first grandchild was to be born this spring.

"I'm hoping I make it that long," he said.