Charles Morris Pickett

Noted banker and attorney Charles M. Pickett passed away in his home in St. George, Utah on Tuesday, May 25, 2010, at age 91. Charles M. Pickett was a member of the Board of Directors of Citizens 1st Bank from 1983 until April of 2009. During his tenure with the bank he served as the board's Vice Chairman, General Counsel and Senior Vice President. James I. Perkins, President and Chairman of Citizens 1st bank said: "Charles Pickett had a major part in Citizens 1st Bank's success over the last 25 years but of greater importance, he had a positive impact on everyone he came in contact with." Before coming to Citizens 1st Bank, Mr. Pickett had served with distinction at the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, first in Washington, D.C., as Senior Attorney serving as attorney in charge of more than 38 closed banks nationwide, and handled scores of regulatory actions of problem banks. He then transferred to the Dallas office as Regional Counsel for the Southwest Region, the first attorney ever permanently assigned to an FDIC Regional Office, where he served until his retirement in 1981. From 1981 through 1983 Mr. Pickett was General Counsel for Preston State Bank and M Corp Bank, Preston and was General Counsel for Allied Bank, Houston and First Interstate Bank of Texas until 1989. Mr. Pickett was a highly respected banking expert and was licensed to practice law in Texas and Utah and the U. S. Supreme Court. During his illustrious career he was District Attorney for the Southern District of Utah and Assistant Attorney General for the State of Utah and a candidate for Attorney General of Utah. He attended schools in St. George, Utah, where he distinguished himself in debate, track, tennis, basketball and football, scoring the first touchdown ever for Dixie High School, and then went on to graduate from Dixie College. After serving in the South Pacific and Japan during World War II, he continued with his education and completed his law degree from the University of Utah College of Law. He is survived by his daughter, Sharlene Pickett, son, Rick, and wife, Ruth; stepson Douglas Sullivan; sister Marie Poelhmann; brother Roger Pickett, sister-in-law, Mrs. Evan (Fawn) Pickett; and many loving grandchildren, nieces, nephews and friends. Services will be Saturday, June 5, 2010, at Spilsbury Mortuary, 1105 Bluff St., St. George Utah 84770. If desired, memorials may be made to Dixie State College, 225 S 700 East, St. George, Utah 84770.