Raymond H. Pickering

Raymond H. Pickering LUBBOCK-Raymond H. Pickering (Pops), 86, passed away on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2015. Raymond was born on April 4, 1928, in Weinert, Texas. The son of Merritt and Ada Pickering, graduated from Weinert High School. Raymond was a veteran of the Korean War. He married the love of his life, Lucille Toliver, on March 9, 1951. He graduated from Texas Tech University in Aug. of 1954 and was an avid supporter of the Red Raiders. Raymond was instrumental in the development of the irrigation industry through his career with Simmons Pump Corporation. Raymond started his career at Simmons Machine and Tool, Inc. in 1953 and built this company into a major pump manufacturer with subsidiaries in Willcox, AZ, Garden City, KS, Levelland, Ralls, Brownfield, Floydada and Haskell, Texas. As a visionary, he purchased AA Foundry, Inc in San Antonio, Texas, to cast parts for his pump companies. Raymond proudly served on the Board of Directors of American State Bank for 35 years and St. Mary's Hospital. He was a 50 year member of the Masonic bodies and the Khiva Temple. Raymond was also a member of Calvary Baptist Church. Pops is survived by his wife, Lucille; sons, David (Lugene), Jay (Dorothy) and Don (Cray) Pickering, all of Lubbock; two sisters, Millie (Gene) Berry and Peggy (Maurice) Hall; seven grandchildren, Chad (Andi), Jenea Stone (Caleb), Clay, Troy (Morgan), Kaci, Fallon and Britlyn Pickering; one great-grandchild, Brooks and two more on the way; and his very special caregiver, Andi Arias. The family would like to give a special thanks to the staff of The Garrison Center of Lubbock. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials to the Alzheimer's Association (alz.org) or the American Diabetes Association. Memorial services will be held at Calvary Baptist Church on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2015, at 11 a.m.