Joseph Jay Pickin

Joseph Jay Pickin, 79, of Emmaus (and formerly Macungie), passed away in the late evening hours of September 18, 2025. Born in Chester, PA, he was the son of the late Joseph and H. Louise (Anders) Pickin of Swarthmore, PA. Jay was a member of the Macungie VFW and The Emmaus Fire Co. #1 and #2 and could often be found at the clubs on a late Friday afternoon for a quite chat. In addition, Jay was a regular fixture at the Emmaus Diner for breakfast during his retirement and knew all the staff by name. Jay was first generation college graduate of Muhlenberg College in Allentown, PA. Immediate after college, he was drafted and served with the US Army forces in Vietnam from 1968 to 1970 with the 196th Infantry Division. During his service he was awarded two bronze stars for his service. Jay returned to the Lehigh Valley after service and made it his home. He worked for Air Products and later Day-timers, Inc. and Impress Packaging before his retirement. He loved movies, science fiction novels and music. In his retirement, Jay spent time puttering in his garden growing tomatoes and hot peppers and watching his granddaughters grow up. He would often sit on his porch and watch the world stroll by on a sunny afternoon. He is survived by his daughter, Kerry A. Pickin Paumi of Lexington, KY and her husband Christian M. Paumi of Bloomington, IN and twin granddaughters, Jade L. and Kylie A. Paumi. A private family memorial service for Jay will be arranged in the spring in Emmaus, PA. Arrangements by Bachman, Kulik & Reinsmith Funeral Homes, Emmaus, www.BKRFH.com Contributions may be made to either the American Cancer Society or the Wounded Warrior Project in his memory.