Scott Allred, 67, of Chicago’s Andersonville neighborhood, passed away on Aug. 22, at Illinois Masonic Hospital, just three weeks after being diagnosed with lymphoma.
Scott was born on Feb. 14, 1959, in Lynwood, California, and grew up in Norwalk. After graduating from John Glenn High School, he attended the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where he earned a bachelor’s degree in graphic design.
Creativity was constant throughout Scott’s life. He spent the early years of his professional career working as a graphic designer, but Scott was never one to stop exploring something that interested him. His lifelong love of food and cooking eventually led him back to school, where he studied culinary arts at Kendall College in Evanston and earned his culinary degree.
While putting himself through culinary school, Scott worked at the iconic Swedish Bakery in Andersonville, a neighborhood that would become an important part of his life. He later ventured out on his own, combining his creativity, talent, and love of food by starting his catering company, Dining at Home.
It was also in Andersonville that Scott met his partner, Marc Kingery. Their first encounter came while they were each out walking their dogs, Harper and Daisy, at Berwyn and Glenwood in the heart of Andersonville. Four months later, Scott’s neighbor and dear friend Jennifer unknowingly introduced them again. This time, the connection stuck, beginning a life together that would span 28 years.
Scott and Marc shared a love of travel and adventure, experiencing much of the world together and often sharing those journeys with family and friends. Their travels took them to Hawaii, Croatia, London, Italy, Puerto Rico, Costa Rica, Greece, Spain, Thailand and many other places. Most recently, they traveled to New Zealand and Australia, adding one more adventure to a lifetime of memories made together.
Scott was unmistakably himself. Confident, determined, independent and opinionated, he knew what he liked—and what he didn’t—and had little hesitation about letting you know what he thought. He often saw the world in black and white, and there was rarely much mystery about where Scott stood. His directness, strong opinions, sense of humor, and singular personality could make for spirited conversations, but they were also part of what made him so memorable.
Scott lived life on his own terms. Behind that strong personality was a creative, compassionate and generous spirit. Scott loved cooking and baking for the people in his life, and few things gave him greater pleasure than preparing something wonderful and sharing it with friends and family.
Food was one of the ways Scott expressed himself and cared for others. During COVID, Scott alone may have been responsible for the weight gain of more than a few friends and neighbors—his kitchen seemed to be in constant production, and he was always happy to share whatever came out of it.
Scott’s curiosity and creativity never left him. In recent years, he discovered quilting, bringing to it the same eye for color and design that had shaped so much of his professional and creative life. Most recently, he began taking pottery classes, discovering yet another way to create something beautiful with his hands.
Above all, Scott built a life filled with creativity, good food, travel, beloved dogs, family, friends, and 28 years shared with Marc. His absence leaves an enormous space in the lives of those who knew and loved him, but so too does the unmistakable imprint of a man who knew who he was, loved the people in his life deeply, and lived entirely on his own terms.
Scott is survived by his partner, Marc, and their beloved dog, Clover; his sister, Karen (Allen) Kandel; his 12 nieces and nephews; and his 19 great-nieces and great-nephews. He was a proud and loving uncle to them all. He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Betty Allred; his sister, Patti; and his beloved dogs, Harper, Daisy, and Heinz.
Memorial services celebrating Scott’s life will be held in Southern California and Chicago. Details will be shared with family and friends. Those wishing to honor Scott’s memory are invited to make a contribution to the Broadway Youth Center, supporting LGBTQ+ youth and young adults in Chicago with healthcare, resources, and a safe and welcoming community. Arrangements by Inclusive Funeral Care, 773-318-1305.
PASSAGES Scott Allred
