Scott Owen Cawlfield, age 53, of Louisville, CO, passed away March 10th, 2025. He had a wandering childhood, but ultimately claimed Nederland, CO as his hometown. Scott is survived by his beloved wife, Taryn Lynn Cawlfield; his beloved children Emilee Sage Cawlfield and Tyler Tripp Cawlfield; his golden retriever, Argos; his sisters Andy Hartman (John), Kacey Cawlfield; his stepsisters Sharon Pomerantz (Jacob), Susan Edwards; his father-in-law Don Gillespie, his mother-in-law Judy Gillespie; his aunt Beth King; his brothers-in-law Donnie Gillespie (Roanna), Shawn Gillespie; his niece, Isabelle Gillespie; his nephews, Chris Hartman (Marisol), Moss Gillespie, and Ben Hartman. Predeceased by his brother Jonathan Cawlfield, his mother Lois Cawlfield, his father David Cawlfield, and his adoring stepmother Rita Cawlfield.
A graduate of Nederland High School, Western Colorado University (BA), and University of Northern Colorado (MA), Scott worked in Jeffco Public Schools as a physical education teacher for many years and then he moved on to be a committed administrator in Boulder Valley School District for over 20 years. Most recently, Scott enjoyed being an assistant principal for The Academy of Charter Schools in Westminster. Scott was a dedicated educator and fierce advocate for students to have a voice in their academic journey and to also have as much fun as possible while working hard to achieve their goals! He loved music and concerts – no matter the genre he was all in for a good show at Red Rocks, or any venue for that matter. A perfect day for Scott is a blue sky and a warm sun; to go on a bike ride with Emilee, go golfing with Tyler, walk Argos to look at Red-tailed hawks, head out on a road trip with family, a river to fish in, driving for hours with his wife up some mountain road just so they could listen to music and sing to each other… with Scott the options were limitless. He loved the ocean and the mountains, great food, and sophisticated conversation; however, he was also the first to crack a joke, drop a movie line and lyrics, make someone laugh, or brighten someone’s day. Scott was a loyal friend, collaborative colleague, inspiring teacher, and a lifelong leader; he made everyone he talked to feel seen, loved, and supported. Scott’s voice was iconic; it could move mountains. His dedication to his friends, parents, siblings, and extended family was unmatched. Scott’s unparalleled love for his wife, Taryn and his two children, Emilee and Tyler is eternal. He is now flying in the beautiful spiral of the cosmos where each fiber of his being is part of everyone who loves him. Shine on, love.
In lieu of flowers, gifts, or food, please consider donating to The Cawlfield Family GoFundMe.
I’ll never forget meeting Scott during my end-of-summer training to be an upper class welcomer (I’m forgetting the name of the program) for Freshmen coming into Monarch High School. He was fun, cool, and just serious enough for me to trust him. It was a joy to know Scott as a student and to remain friends in my young adulthood through my friendship with Taryn, who taught me 10th grade English. My heart is with the whole Cawlfield family in this difficult time, sending love and hope for peace from Oakland, CA.
Thank you so much for this beautiful tribute. Scott and I think the world of you, Matt. My kids and I really appreciate reading your words – they bring us so much comfort.
Scott was a bright light of warmth
Scott was a funny joke
The best lyrics
Joyful rage and at singing out strong
Scott was the voice of Pride, bleeding purple and shining like gold
The safety net, calm adrift the seas
A Jedi of discipline. Shifting denial to apology with a look
Scott was mischief and hoodwinks, robust belly laugh and side glances
He was a brother to many, a father to any and a loyal friend
Scott loved love. He loved his wife, his kids, his dog, his family, his friends, his Jetta, his school and this whole crazy world.
Scott was a bright light of warmth
and its darker now.
💔❤️🩹
Wow – this poem is perfect. You know him so well. He loves you so much; so do I. Thank you for writing this – it continues to bring me and my kids comfort. I keep a screenshot of it in my phone so I can read it often.
I was invited to sing at Taryn and Scott’s wedding, which was such an honor. “Leather and Lace” will forever be theirs in my heart. I remember when Taryn first told me about Scott. She spoke of this man that she thought she was in love with and it was so pure and true. She just knew, and as her friend, I was thrilled to see her so happy. I know that family was everything to Scott, and although his loss is devastating for Taryn, his kids, and extended family, I truly hope that his heart and soul is at peace. Thank you, Scott, for making our beloved Taryn so happy.
Scott and I love that song so much and to have you sing it to us at our wedding will be a moment that I hold forever. Reading your tribute to Scott brings so much comfort to me and my kids and we are so grateful to hold on to these moments; you reminding me of our beautiful wedding brings warmth to my aching soul.
Thank you for sharing this beautiful description of my brother. He was a bright light!!
The brightest light. We all love you so much, Kacey!!
Scott was my daughter’s assistant principal at Boulder High. During a very difficult time with another student, he went out of his way to assure her safety. He gave both of us his personal cell number and told her to call him anytime she felt unsafe. He even left a voicemail for me that I still have saved—I’d be happy to share it with his family if it brings them comfort.
Hearing of his passing was devastating. The world is a much less bright place without him in it. I believe he lives on through his wife and children. The calm, grounded lessons he shared with me—as a fellow parent navigating tough moments—will stay with me indefinitely. I’m so grateful he was my children’s principal.
He was a wonderful human in a very difficult world
Thank you so much for your beautiful words about my husband. They have brought so much comfort to me and my family. I would love to hear the voicemail from Scott. You can reach out to me on my BVSD email to continue this conversation. Thank you again for capturing how amazing he is and how much he cares about his students and their families.
Taryn,
I never had the pleasure to meet you, But I knew your husband back when he was a junior & senior in high school. I hired him to work for me in the CU Rural Recreation Project and Scott was my assistant for 2 years as we ran a summer recreation program for the Nederland community. Scott was a wonderful person, full of life and always with a smile and a can-do attitude. Every morning, he would ride his mountain bike down highway 119 from Rollinsvillle and come screaming into Ned as he would say. Then with a mountain dew and a donut he would start every morning with a sugar rush. I became a close friend & mentor to him, and we kept in touch as he studied at Western State in Gunnison. I eventually moved away from Colorado in the late 90’s and lost touch with Scott, but I knew he had married, divorced and then eventually married you and had 2 wonderful kids. I was happy to see his life was dedicated to education and last I knew he was a principal at Boulder High School. Thats would be epic as he would say. Just the other day I was thinking of him when I googled him and saw his obituary. I was shocked. So sad. I have a picture of He and I and all the kids that were in our program during the summer of 1990. It was taken at the Nederland Elementary School, and it was one of my fondest memories of my early days in Colorado. I am so sorry for your loss. He was one of kind soul. I remember driving with him in the mountains as he introduced me to Wonderview and Eldora and other local spots surrounding Nederland. Always blasting Van Halen in the car. He inspired me to take a cross-country bike trip after our Summer to together in 1990. I loved that kid who grew into a man. He had such a zest for life. He touched the lives of so many including me. Goodbye my friend. Rest in peace.
Thank you so much, Jerry for this beautiful tribute to my husband. He told me about you and I have the same photo of you all from that summer in 1990!! Your detailed description of him is perfect and I can see every aspect of your memories with him in full color and sound. I can see him smiling down on you right now and being so grateful you wrote such kind and loving words that his family can cherish. Thank you for keeping him alive in this way. He is my soulmate and my eternal husband. When I wrote this obituary, I was in so much shock and pain, but I am so grateful that I can read comments from people who love him whenever I visit this page. I miss him every minute of every day. He is a shining light and a beautiful soul. Please know he told me many stories about your times together and he adored you. Thank you again for lifting him and our family up to the sky.