David G. Pickett

1941 - 2022

News story
By Mark Zaborney
Blade staff writer

David G. Pickett, who at his retirement had served longer than any other then-active Toledo firefighter, died July 13 at ProMedica Ebeid Hospice Residence, Sylvania. He was 80.

He had esophageal cancer, his wife, Kathy Pickett, said.

Mr. Pickett of Sylvania Township in March, 1996, was awarded the Toledo fire department's Badge No. 1 for his tenure as the longest serving firefighter then on the force. He retired Feb. 14, 1997.

"Dad just loved the fire department," said his son Denny Pickett, who retired in 2017 after 25 years as a Toledo firefighter. "He liked the camaraderie and liked helping."

He was appointed to what was then the Toledo fire division on Jan. 22, 1965, signing up at the suggestion of a neighbor. He served through the years at Station No. 16 on Detroit Avenue near Dorr Street; No. 4 on Hill Avenue; at No. 5 on Washington and Ontario streets, and No. 9 on South Avenue.

"David was a good soul," Mrs. Pickett said. "I really believe the fact that firefighters are a brotherhood of helping, he felt he was doing the right thing and doing everything he could to help others."

Don Coon, a Toledo firefighter from 1974-2000, worked with him at Station 4 - and the pair did drywall work off duty for years.

"The guy was such a hard worker," Mr. Coon said. "He liked everything fire, and he liked being busy. I was more than honored to call him friend."

Mr. Pickett seemed to slough off job pressures and didn't speak at home of any tragedy witnessed.

"He had a pretty good core group at his station, and they would sit around and talk about it," the younger Mr. Pickett said "I never knew him as a stressful person."

He was left a single father of four in April, 1970, when his wife, Janet, died.

"He was constantly working to support his family," the younger Mr. Pickett said.

Taking on repair projects at the Toledo Firefighters Museum after he retired kept him in touch with former comrades.

In his younger years, he liked to play tennis in Jermain Park. Pickleball, particularly with the Sylvania Pickleball Club, became a retirement pursuit.

Meeting novices, "he loved talking about the game and helping acquaint them with how the game was played," said Mrs. Pickett, who introduced him to the sport.