Jan Krishna Menon Scotland was born on March 26, 1956 in Harlem, New York to Iris (Jackson) Scotland and the late Rev. Felix A. Scotland, both of Guyana.
Jan grew up in Queens, New York with siblings Felica (Benzo), Excillie Scotland, Dom Scotland and mother Iris following the passing of his father at an early age. He attended Brooklyn Technical High School and graduated from Andrew Jackson High School in 1974.
Jan was a proud HBCU alumni of Hampton University (Hampton, Virginia) c/o 1978 “Creative Source” where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Organic Chemistry. He enjoyed returning to his cherished Hampton University every fall, helping to host the university’s Homecoming celebrations.
Jan started his career at B.F. Goodrich in Akron, Ohio. In 1981, he relocated to Toledo, Ohio to work at Owens Corning Fiberglass where he served as a Supervisor of Chemical Purchasing and met many lifelong friends. He met Margie (Garner) in 1981 and they married on November 24, 1984. The couple have two children, Alexander and Dawn Scotland, through their union.
Jan served the city on Toledo City Council in 1987 and campaigned and held numerous positions in the state of Ohio throughout his life. He was a proud lifelong member of the Republican Party and was not shy of his affiliation, eager to debate any one on any politics of the day. He most recently ran in the 2021 mayoral race.
In 1990, Jan became a State Farm agent where he served the community through his office on Dorr St. faithfully for 33 years until his passing.
One of his greatest accomplishments was serving the community’s youth through the Sleepy Hollow Athletic League where he coached faithfully for 27 years. The co-ed program taught the city’s youth the fundamentals of sports, encouraging good sportsmanlike conduct rather than competition. The unique program was affordable for all and completely ran by volunteers and parents. Jan founded the program in 1996, after the teenager of a family friend was shot and killed in a parking lot by being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Jan truly believed in the importance of having programs for children before they got into trouble to keep them off the streets.
Jan was a devoted member of St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church where he served decades as Treasurer, Trustee, Chair of Men’s Day and Youth Day, Vacation Bible School Chair, and served the youth through the Christian Board of Education. When their children were younger, Jan and Margie hosted children after church in their home every Sunday for dinner. Jan could be found happily playing the bongos in the music pit every Sunday.
Jan was a staple in the Toledo community with a track record for advocating for youth and black interests. He formerly volunteered for Big Brothers/Big Sisters and was previously a board member and board president of both the East Toledo Family Center and Frederick Douglass Community Association. Most recently, he was the president of PCARS (President’s Committee on African American Recruitment and Retention) at the University of Toledo Medical School where he served until his passing.
Jan was the recipient of many awards for his public service including but not limited to Big Brother of the Year, Board of Community Relations Youth Empowerment Award, East Toledo Distinguished Citizens and one of the inaugural recipients of the Jefferson Award for Public Service in 2004.
Jan was a joy to everyone he met and was known for his jovial spirit and humor. He enjoyed spending time with his dear friends and family, playing with his beloved dog Duke, hosting parties and music gatherings and hanging out at his favorite place on Reynolds Road: City Hall.
Jan Scotland was a proud Prince Hall Mason, Amazon Lodge No. 4 where he served in numerous capacities. In 2011, he was raised to the 33rd degree, St. Matthews Consistory No. 24 and he was a Past Potentate of Mecca Temple No. 43. Jan spearheaded the effort along with seven other members to acquire the building Octagon Number IV on 638 N. University St.
Jan is preceded in death by his father the late Rev. Felix A. Scotland and sister Excillie Scotland. Jan leaves to cherish his memory his wife of 39 years Margie (Garner) Scotland (Toledo, OH), mother Iris Scotland, sister Felica (Benzo) and brother Dom Scotland (all of Deltona, Florida); son Alexander (Erica) Scotland and grandson Ellis Scotland (Fort Wayne, Indiana); daughter Dawn Scotland (Toledo, Ohio), a host of nieces, nephews and cousins and best friend and co-worker Vinson Shells.
Special thanks to University of Toledo Medical Center, Advanced Specialty Hospital, Right-at-Home, Ohio Home Health and Miss June for their care of Jan during his illness.
Services for Jan Scotland will be held at St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church 1502 N. Detroit Ave, Toledo, OH 43607. Visitations are Friday, July 28 from 4-6 p.m. with Masonic Rites following at 6-8 p.m. The wake services begin the following day, Saturday July 29 at 10am and the funeral service is at 11 a.m. The church requires that visitors wear masks. Rev. James H. Willis, Sr., officiant. Interment will follow at Ottawa Hills Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church Anita Moore Ellis Scholarship Fund.