Obituary of Dr. Scott Alan Baggarly

Funeral services for Dr. Scott Alan Baggarly of Bastrop, Louisiana, are scheduled for 1:00 PM Monday, June 1, 2026, in the chapel of Golden Funeral Home with Dr. Bruce Walker officiating. Visitation will be held from 2:00 PM until 4:00 PM Sunday, May 31, 2026, at Golden Funeral Home. Dr. Baggarly passed away following a courageous battle with Alzheimer’s disease on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at the age of 66, at Southern Trace Rehabilitation and Care Center in Bryant, Arkansas. Scott was born on October 15, 1959, in Bastrop, Louisiana, to William Lloyd Baggarly and Helen Elizabeth Lyles Baggarly. He lived a life centered on faith, family, music, service, and learning. For many years, he was a devoted member of First United Methodist Church in Bastrop, where he faithfully contributed to the church’s music ministry. Most recently, he was a member of Memorial Methodist Church. Music shaped Scott’s life from an early age and remained one of his greatest passions. After graduating from Bastrop High School in 1977, he earned his Bachelor of Music degree in Organ Performance in 1981 and his Master of Music degree in Choral Conducting in 1983 from Northeast Louisiana University. During his years as a music student and educator, he was recognized for both academic excellence and musical talent, graduating Magna Cum Laude and earning membership in numerous honor societies and professional organizations. A gifted organist, pianist, conductor, and teacher, Scott faithfully shared his talents for many years at First United Methodist Church and Memorial Methodist Church in Bastrop, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Mer Rouge, and other churches throughout northeast Louisiana. He also served as a choir director and accompanist, generously investing his time in mentoring and encouraging others through music. Driven by both his love for knowledge and a desire to serve others, Scott later pursued a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy from Northeast Louisiana University in 1987, followed by a Master of Business Administration from the University of Louisiana at Monroe in 2001 and a Doctorate of Philosophy in Pharmacy Administration in 2003. Scott worked for many years as a pharmacist at Morehouse General Hospital before joining the faculty at the University of Louisiana Monroe College of Pharmacy in 2007. As an educator, researcher, advisor, and mentor, he became deeply respected by colleagues and students for his intelligence, humility, professionalism, and generous spirit. Throughout his academic career, Dr. Baggarly contributed extensively to pharmacy education and scholarly research, authoring and presenting work focused on patient care, healthcare outcomes, medication adherence, and pharmacy education. He challenged students to think critically, approach healthcare with compassion, and never stop growing in knowledge and understanding. Colleagues described him as thoughtful, dedicated, and deeply committed to both his profession and the success of those he taught. In recent years, Scott faced Alzheimer’s disease with remarkable courage and grace. The disease rapidly stole his memories, musical abilities, and brilliant intellect that defined so much of his professional life, but it never diminished the goodness at the core of who he was. Even as Alzheimer’s changed so much for him, his warmth, gentle nature, and happy soul remained unmistakably present to those who were around him. In honor of his lifelong dedication to education, research, service, and helping others, Scott’s family has chosen to donate his brain for Alzheimer’s research. It is their hope that, through this final gift, his journey with the disease may contribute to a greater understanding of Alzheimer’s and offer hope to future families facing the same heartbreaking diagnosis. Even in passing, he continues to teach, give, and make a difference. He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Robin Shoemaker Baggarly; daughter, Meredith Chappell and husband Brandon; sister, Linda Moore and husband Gary; and nephew, Tyler Moore. He was preceded in death by his father, William Lloyd Baggarly, his mother, Helen Elizabeth Lyles Baggarly, and mother-in-law, Rhetha Meredith Shoemaker. The family wishes to express heartfelt gratitude to the caregivers and staff at Southern Trace Rehabilitation and Care Center in Bryant, Arkansas, for the compassion, dignity, and kindness shown to Scott throughout his journey with Alzheimer’s. Their care brought comfort and peace during an incredibly difficult time. In lieu of flowers, Dr. Baggarly’s family requests memorial donations be made in his honor to the Alzheimer’s Association or Memorial Methodist Church in Bastrop, Louisiana.