Peter J. Pickford

Peter was born to the late Rollo S. and Alta F. Pickford in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on September 11, 1928. "Pete", the youngest of 3 brothers, leveraged a passion in nature and earth science to earn a BS in Geology from Iowa State University and an MS in Geology from the University of Iowa. He spent his entire career with Chevron developing expertise in locating oil reserves in the Appalachian basin and Gulf Coast regions. Peter met, and later married Marjorie Jean Dewel of Algona, Iowa, his wife of 64 years in 1952. Pete served in an Army Engineering battalion during the Korean War, and Pete and Marge welcomed their first child, John, into the world while he served in Fort Belvoir, VA. The young family left Virginia in 1954 to begin Pete's career in Geology in Louisiana and to bring 3 additional, wonderful children, Julia, Catherine and Thomas into the world in New Orleans. Pete's career took the family from New Orleans to Houston and back to New Orleans. Pete and Marge relocated to Saudi Arabia for several years in the early 80's where Pete led efforts to target oil reserves in the Arabian Peninsula. Pete and Marge then relocated to Danville, CA to spend the last years of his career. Pete retired in 1989 and they relocated to Austin, TX in 1990.

Peter was a loving and supportive brother, friend, husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. He had a passion for earth sciences, astronomy, music, singing and dancing … and family. He was quite the gymnast during his college years, an avid tennis player, and a darn good bridge player and even picked up golf after retirement.

Peter is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Marjorie Dewel Pickford of Austin, TX; his brother, Rollo Pickford and wife Nadene of Orange, CA; his sons, John and wife Nancy of Lakeway, TX and Tom and wife Anna of Tampa, FL; his daughters Julie Hamilton and husband Jack of Baton Rouge, LA and Kate Pickford of Tampa, FL; eleven grandchildren, Travis Pickford, Michael Pickford, Katie Fett Miller, Tyler Hamilton, Sara Hamilton, Phillip Gillette, Christopher Gillette, Alexandra Pickford, Lauren Pickford, Marina Pickford and Sofia Pickford; and 5 great- grandchildren Cason Pickford, Jace Pickford, Macie Miller, Ella Miller and Lucas Gillette.

Peter was predeceased by his mother and father and his brother James S Pickford.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Darrell K Royal Research Fund for Alzheimer's Disease (www.dkrfund.org) or to the McDonald Observatory (http://mcdonaldobservatory.org/support/).

The family would like to thank the staff at Querencia at Barton Creek's Plaza for the exceptional, loving and inspirational care provided to Peter over the last two years. We would also like to recognize the exceptional care provided by the Halcyon Home Hospice team over the last few months. Your care of Peter and guidance provided to our family during trying times was simply extraordinary.

Memorial services will be held Monday, 11/23/2015 at 1pm at Weed Corley Fish Funeral Home (411 Ranch Rd 620 S, Lakeway 78734, www.wcfish.com). A reception will also be held following the service from 2:30-4pm in the Longhorn room at Querencia of Barton Creek (2500 Barton Creek Blvd, Austin 78735).