Jim PICKERILL

1940 - 2021

PICKERILL, Jim B. 81, passed away on May 14, 2021 at his home in Lutz, FL after a long battle with cancer. Jim was born to the late Willis and Frances Pickerill on March 2, 1940 in Leitchfield, KY. After graduating from Purdue University, Jim worked for Honeywell in Clearwater, FL. He was then employed as a civilian engineer in Burbank, CA, where he worked on the Guidance System for the SR-71 Blackbird at Area 51. He later worked for Northrop Grumman on the guidance navigation system for the Lockheed C-5 Transport in Marietta, GA. Jim joined IBM in 1968 and enjoyed a 30-year career in Atlanta, Chicago, Tampa, and Paris, France. In 1998, he retired from IBM as the Director of Global Services Marketing for Europe, Middle East, and Africa, returning to Tampa from Paris. Jim loved designing and building houses, spending time outdoors, grilling, fishing, golfing, attending Bucs games, and traveling. Jim is survived by his loving wife of 37 years, Sandy; first wife, Jean Machen (John) and their three children, Greg Pickerill (Jackie) of Ball Ground, GA, Lisa Lockhart of Acworth, GA, and Stacy Eiselstein (Kyle) of Lookout Mountain, GA; six grandchildren, Jordan Pickerill, Nelson Eiselstein, Avery Pickerill, Kylie Eiselstein, Jane Eiselstein, and Lizzie Lockhart; a brother, Bob Pickerill (JoAnn) of Petersburg, IL; a sister, Jane Davis (Paul) of Petersburg, IL; and their Yorkie, Cassie. A celebration of life will be held for friends and family on Saturday, May 22, 2021 at 1 pm at The Club at Cheval. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial gifts may be made to the Colon Cancer Coalition, 5666 Lincoln Drive, Suite 270, Edina, MN 55436.