Richard Pickens Obituary

Richard "Dick" Pickens

Richard Lee Pickens, 85, passed away Monday, March 25, 2024, joining his beloved wife, Kay, and their daughter, Denise, in eternal rest. With extraordinary tenacity and grit, he faced numerous close calls with death, but ultimately succumbed to respiratory failure resulting from interstitial lung disease.

He was born June 24, 1938, to John Otis and Mildred (Osborne) Pickens in a home just across from where the Chinese barn once was in Henry County, near the cemetery where he will be laid to rest.

Dick was preceded in death by his parents; and siblings, Marilyn Cusac, Robert "Bob," and John "Jack" Pickens.

Dick was a 1956 graduate of McComb High School, although he admittedly showed up just to play football on Fridays and spent most of the week working. Post-graduation, he enlisted in U.S. Marine Corps as an Aircraft Mechanic with the VMR 352 before returning to Ohio to contribute to the family farm, engage in car racing with his brothers, and pursue the love of his life.

He married Kay (Thatcher) Pickens on July 22, 1961, in Hamler. Together, they raised a family just about two miles from his childhood home. Continuing their legacy and grieving a great loss are their children, Jeniene (Mike) Hohl, Bradley (Jennis) Pickens, Angela (Tim) Moses, Steven (Michelle) Pickens, Christine (Scott) Best, and Kathleen Pickens; 14 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; and a multitude of friends from Immaculate Conception Church, Legacy Cooperative elevators, and anywhere that served sausage gravy and biscuits.

Dick was a man of many roles – a Marine, farmer, truck driver, devoted husband, loving father, and exemplary role model. He was the first in his lineage to own land, a feat he took great pride in. However, his legacy extends beyond the fields he cultivated. It lives on through the accomplishments of his children, the integrity and hard work he exemplified, and the many kindnesses he bestowed to others simply because it was the right thing to do.

Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Monday, April 1, 2024, at Feehan-Rodenberger Funeral Home, Deshler. Friends are invited to join the family at the funeral home for a few brief prayers Tuesday, April 2, 2024, and procession to Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 230 Allendale Avenue, Deshler, where funeral Mass will begin at 10:30 a.m. with Father Art Niewiadomski presiding. Burial with military honors will immediately follow at Woodlawn Cemetery, Deshler, after which friends and family are invited to return to the church for a luncheon.

In lieu of flowers or donations, Richard expressly wanted everyone to take their families out to dinner or otherwise spend time appreciating each other's company.

Messages and memories can be left for the family at www.feehanrodenbergerfuneralhome.com.