James Harold Pickett, Sr.

1926 - 2022

James Harold Pickett, Sr., 95, of Gum Cove, LA, passed away peacefully at 1:14 AM on Wednesday, May 18, 2022 in a local care facility.

Born June 7, 1926 in Crowley, LA, Mr. Pickett was raised and lived most of his life in the Gum Cove area.  He was a 1945 graduate of Vinton High School and enjoyed rice farming for numerous years.  He also worked as a security guard at W.R. Grace for over twenty years, retiring in 1986.  Mr. Pickett was a member of Welsh Memorial United Methodist Church in Vinton, LA, where he was active with the United Methodist Men’s group.  He enjoyed spending time in his yard tending to his lawn. He was blessed to never forget a name and could talk to anyone; he never met a stranger.  He loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren; he will be greatly missed.  He was extremely proud of his handwriting, which he believed got him his first non-farming job.  He loved Peter-Built trucks, John Deere tractors, cookies, doing Arithmetic, Penny Gilley country music, peppermints, and well-made food, especially shrimp from Miss Lisa.  He read two newspapers a day and loved discussing them with you.

Mr. Pickett is survived by his son, James Harold Pickett, Jr. and wife Linda of Gum Cove, LA; daughter, Sandra Louise Kline and husband Letch of Gulfport, MS; grandchildren, Page Pickett and wife Ashley, Pike Pickett and wife Jessica, Crystal Kline Vitek and husband Gabrahm, and Heather Kline; and great-grandchildren: Caden Jack Pickett, Charlsie Grace Pickett, Dahlia and Modley Vitek.  He remained close to many of his nieces, nephews, and extended family.

He was preceded in death by his wife of sixty-four years, Mary Louise Little Pickett; parents, Warren and Anna Gray Pickett; brothers, Owen Pickett and Warren Pickett; sisters, Ruby Whitsell and Sis Tinsley; and grandson, Garett Kline.

His cremation was entrusted to Johnson Funeral Home of Lake Charles.  A celebration of life will be held at 12:00 PM on Saturday, September 10, 2022 at Welsh Memorial United Methodist Church.  A reception will follow the service.

The family would like to express a special word of thanks to his church family, especially Rev. Ricky Watson; his caregiver, Krissie Romero; West Cal-Cam Hospital Emergency Department and 2nd floor nurses and staff, case manager, Missy Sisson; Holly Hill Nursing Home staff, especially Shelly, Martha, and Sharon, and Amedisys Hospice, especially Christy, Brenda, Lori, and Kelly.  The family is eternally grateful for the care, compassion and support given by everyone who had a part in his care.