1953
Carli
2013
Carli Rene Scales
May 16, 1953 — July 23, 2013
Carli Rene Scales, 60, of Amarillo died Tuesday, July 23, 2013. She was preceded in death by her parents, Carlton and Jerri Scales.
Mrs. Scales was born May 16, 1953 in Amarillo to local musical artists, Carlton and Jerri Scales. She grew up in Amarillo and graduated from Palo Duro High School in 1971. Taking after her parents, Carli was a very talented and accomplished artist and musician. She performed professionally at an early age as a bassist with her father’s jazz ensembles and was also a gifted pianist. She won an audition and began performing as a string bassist with the Amarillo Symphony at age 16 and played in the orchestra for most of the following 21 years.
Carli was a lifelong learner. She held multiple degrees and certifications from Amarillo College in a wide range of areas. As a professional visual artist, she excelled in painting, sculpting, pottery and photography. Carli published monthly newsletters for local groups including the local T-Bird club.
She was an Administrator, with classes and experience in Grant writing, and the operation of nonprofit organizations.
As a mental health consumer, Carli became a tireless advocate for the rights and treatment of other consumers with mental illness. She originated the Amarillo Area Mental Health Consumer Organization. Together with Mary Kay Kurtz, she started the volunteer staffed Agape Center in 2000 where she served as the Executive Director until she retired four years ago. The organization continues to function on Buchanan Street. Carli helped start the Coalition of Texans with disabilities organization in 1984-1985. She helped write the original grant that started the organization. Carli served on several high level work committees, including the Provider of Last Resort Rule-making Committee, appointed by Governor Perry, (06-07), The Protection and Advocacy advisory board for Advocacy Incorporated, and The State Mental Health Planning and Advisory Committee.
Of all of her many talents, Carli’s first love was organic gardening. She was an avid gardener and had an amazing green thumb with an ability to grow almost anything she set her mind to.
Survivors include her husband and partner of 37 years, Roy Seward of Amarillo; two sisters, Maggie Scales Peacock of Amarillo and Sheri Scales Neubauer and husband Nils of Tulsa, OK; two brothers, Tommy Scales and wife Sherry of Lubbock and Nick Scales and wife Lori of Amarillo; and lifelong friends, Jerry Steen of Amarillo and Michael Evans of Austin. She is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews and several great nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers or other gifts, the family feels that the best tribute to Carli is to plant permanent trees & gardens, or to contribute to the the High Plains Food Bank or a gardening charity of your choice.
A listing of these tributes will be collected and shared at a family "Celebration of Life" gathering requested by Carli at a date to be determined.
Mrs. Scales was born May 16, 1953 in Amarillo to local musical artists, Carlton and Jerri Scales. She grew up in Amarillo and graduated from Palo Duro High School in 1971. Taking after her parents, Carli was a very talented and accomplished artist and musician. She performed professionally at an early age as a bassist with her father’s jazz ensembles and was also a gifted pianist. She won an audition and began performing as a string bassist with the Amarillo Symphony at age 16 and played in the orchestra for most of the following 21 years.
Carli was a lifelong learner. She held multiple degrees and certifications from Amarillo College in a wide range of areas. As a professional visual artist, she excelled in painting, sculpting, pottery and photography. Carli published monthly newsletters for local groups including the local T-Bird club.
She was an Administrator, with classes and experience in Grant writing, and the operation of nonprofit organizations.
As a mental health consumer, Carli became a tireless advocate for the rights and treatment of other consumers with mental illness. She originated the Amarillo Area Mental Health Consumer Organization. Together with Mary Kay Kurtz, she started the volunteer staffed Agape Center in 2000 where she served as the Executive Director until she retired four years ago. The organization continues to function on Buchanan Street. Carli helped start the Coalition of Texans with disabilities organization in 1984-1985. She helped write the original grant that started the organization. Carli served on several high level work committees, including the Provider of Last Resort Rule-making Committee, appointed by Governor Perry, (06-07), The Protection and Advocacy advisory board for Advocacy Incorporated, and The State Mental Health Planning and Advisory Committee.
Of all of her many talents, Carli’s first love was organic gardening. She was an avid gardener and had an amazing green thumb with an ability to grow almost anything she set her mind to.
Survivors include her husband and partner of 37 years, Roy Seward of Amarillo; two sisters, Maggie Scales Peacock of Amarillo and Sheri Scales Neubauer and husband Nils of Tulsa, OK; two brothers, Tommy Scales and wife Sherry of Lubbock and Nick Scales and wife Lori of Amarillo; and lifelong friends, Jerry Steen of Amarillo and Michael Evans of Austin. She is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews and several great nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers or other gifts, the family feels that the best tribute to Carli is to plant permanent trees & gardens, or to contribute to the the High Plains Food Bank or a gardening charity of your choice.
A listing of these tributes will be collected and shared at a family "Celebration of Life" gathering requested by Carli at a date to be determined.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Carli Rene Scales, please visit our flower store.