Reprinted from the Online Molalla Pioneer, Molalla, Oregon, August 19, 2009.

Scott A. Lay, 58, of Portland died at his home July 31, 2009.

He was born June 28, 1951 in Silverton to Roy and Lois Lay. He grew up in Molalla and participated in sports, band and FFA. Shortly after his graduation from Molalla Union High School in 1969, he was injured in a swimming accident and became a quadriplegic. He went on to receive his master’s in public administration from Portland State University and spent his lifetime as an advocate for persons with disabilities, with a focus on increasing independence through employment. He chaired the Oregon Disabilities Commission and the board of directors for a center for independent living in Portland. In 1992, he was honored as the Disabled Oregonian of the Year. He was one of the chief architects of the Employed Persons with Disabilities Program (EPD), which allows persons with significant disabilities to work and maintain critical Medicaid eligibility. In March 2006, he was appointed chair of the Oregon Home Care Commission. He consulted others on employment-related disability issues and was a trained benefits planner and PASS (Plan for Achieving Self-Support) writer. He married his longtime partner, Shawn Boa, on Sept. 3, 2008.

Survivors include his wife, Shawn Boa of Portland; daughter, Melissa of Portland; mother, Lois Lay of Molalla; sister, Stacey Atkins of Eugene and one grandson. He was preceded in death by his father, Roy.

A celebration of life was held Aug. 17 at the Riverfront Park Centennial Pavilion in Salem. He was buried next to his father in Adams Cemetery in Molalla in a private ceremony on Aug. 7. Arrangements were handled by Molalla Funeral Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Independent Living Resources (ILR), 2410 S.E. 11th Ave., Portland, OR 97214.