Richard "Mike" Scarlett

Richard “Mike” Scarlett left this world suddenly at the age of 66, with his wife Kay by his side in October of 2022. Mike was a loving dad and husband, supportive friend, talented musician, entrepreneur, marriage counselor, and filmmaker.

Mike was born on August 23rd, 1956, in Marshall, Arkansas. He grew up in Burlington Colorado with his three brothers Steve, Phil, and Billy. As a child, he had a variety of interests that gave a glimpse into what his future would hold. He took tap dance lessons, was in the band, sold newspapers door-to-door, and loved earning his Boy Scout badges. As a teen, he grew in his Faith and found his second family at his local youth group. That’s also one of the places he fell in love with church music.

In 1978, Mike graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Oklahoma Baptist University. He was a naturally gifted musician who could pick up any instrument and master it. His early music involved beautiful ad-libbed piano ballads and acoustic guitar that complemented his tenor voice. It may surprise you, but it wasn't until he was middle-aged that he started playing the banjo, something that helped him connect to his Ozarks roots even more. By the time he passed, he could also play the mandolin, violin, and drums.

As a young man, he combined his love of entrepreneurship and his love of music by opening up Scarlett’s Pianos. He poured everything he could into his business, buying and selling pianos, and tuning them by ear across the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.

At 34, Mike met the love of his life and his best friend, Kay Letson. Mike says God answered his prayers to show him the woman meant for him. Three weeks later, they tied the knot at a courthouse in Texarkana, on March 8th, 1991. Together, Mike and Kay shared their strong Faith in God, worship music, laughter, entrepreneurship, and the dream of raising a family together. The couple would often reflect on starting their family late in life, saying raising their family together was the happiest time of their lives. They were partners in life and business, working together to grow their piano business. In 1994, they recorded Mike's first Christian album called “Oasis."

When his piano business slowed, he turned to another venture. He taught himself how to auctioneer and opened up Scarlett's Antique Auctions before going back to college one last time. In 2006, Mike earned his Master's in counseling from the Southwestern Theological Seminary. His drive to understand relationships, his ability to empathize, and his love of conversation made Mike a great counselor. For several years, he worked out of local churches offering Christian family counseling.

Mike was never tied down by one interest and was never afraid to pursue goals later in life. In his final act he lived out a childhood dream: he had always wanted to be an actor. It wasn’t until the last decade that Mike started pursuing that dream, acting in several short films, television shows, and movies. He cherished his time getting to know the Dallas-Fort Worth film community and loved taking acting classes.

Mike’s memory lives on through his music, his films, and the lives his kindness and humor touched.

Mike is survived by his three children, Sarah Scarlett, Samuel Scarlett, and Michael Scarlett and his wife Susan; his 5 grandchildren, MacKenzie Perry and her husband Nathan, Noah, Zachary, Grace, and Carson; his great-grandson Carter; his brothers Steve Scarlett and Bill Peterson; and the rest of his beloved family and friends.

A memorial service for Mike and Kay Scarlett is scheduled for 2 p.m. on November 12th at Turning Point Church in Fort Worth. Flowers can be sent to the church.