Kenneth Wayne Pickard

Kenneth Wayne Pickard went to be with the Lord on Friday, May 16, 2014 at Longview Regional Hospital from complications following surgery and a hard fought battle as a dialysis patient. He was born on June 22, 1935 to Eleda Grace Pruett Pickard and J.P. Pickard in Trenton, Tennessee. Raised by Eleda and his stepfather, Levi Grett, he graduated from White Oak High School in 1954. He received a football scholarship to Stephen F. Austin, where he attended prior to joining the military. He served two years in the U.S. Army, and was a World War II Veteran stationed in England. He worked in various occupations throughout his life, including the oilfield industry, truck driving, and law enforcement. He retired as a security guard with Good Shepherd Medical Center.

Preceded in death by his mother Eleda Grett, brother Charles Grett, Stepfather Levi Grett, and father J.P. Pickard. He leaves behind a devoted wife of 56 years, Clara Loraine Rowe Pickard who never left his side, son and daughter-in-law Kenny and Carol Pickard, son Terry Pickard, daughter and son-in-law Joey and Reneé Meaux, all of White Oak, TX, daughter and son-in-law Laurie and Dennis Dyer of Carthage, TX, brothers Donald Pickard, Clarence Grett, Tom Grett, 11 grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Kenneth was an avid sports fan, known in his community for his love and support of the White Oak Roughnecks for many years. He greatly enjoyed watching his grandchildren play in sports and loved to brag on their accomplishments. He was a very proud Papaw and will be greatly missed. He was a member of Pine Tree Church of Christ for over 40 years. He loved the Lord, his family, his church family, his friends, and his community. A special thank you from his family to the staff at Davita and the doctors and nurses at Longview Regional Hospital who cared for him over the past 5 years.

The family will receive visitors on Tuesday the 20th from 6:00 to 8:00 at Lakeview Funeral Home. His services will be Wednesday at 1:00 at Pine Tree Church of Christ.