Cecil Pickens

He was the second of four children born to James W. Pickens and Lura McCord. His older brother was Jack Pickens and the youngest brother was Gene Pickens. Third in age was a sister Juanita Massey. Cecil like many others during the depression was forced to quit school in the eighth grade in order to help support his family. It made him tough and have a strong work ethic.

Cecil met Mary Lee Bennett while she was attending the University of Texas in Austin. Mary Lee graduated from UT in August of 1941. They married on November 26, 1941. They lived in San Antonio through the war years where they both worked civil service jobs at Kelly Air force Base. Cecil tried to enlist in the service but was disqualified because of an injury he had received as a young boy. He had played hooky from school one day and cut a tendon in his left hand while swimming in the river.

Cecil came to Austin when working for the "Pig Stand" restaurant. He started his own restaurant at 26th and Guadalupe. He had the opportunity to buy a second restaurant up the street named "Dirty Martin’s." He purchased it in 1954 from Stewart "Pop" Nemire. Mr. Nemire’s grandson, Mark is now running the business.

During the many years that he owned "Dirty’s", Cecil made many lifelong friends. He also had many lifelong employees that should be mentioned: JT Hughes and his brother Wesley Hughes. There was also "Doc" Mallard and Andy Schaefer. There was Lizzie Twidwell and her daughters Margie and Faye. Cecil outlived most of his friends and it was tough losing them. There are too many of them to name.

In 1968 Cecil lost one of his best friends, "Hootie" Dickens. Hootie had introduced him to Colorado deer and elk hunting and they made an annual trip to Pagosa Springs where they hunted on the Dyke Ranch owned by Harold Radcliff. After "Hootie" died Cecil took it upon himself to continue the tradition by taking his two sons Keith and Joel on this annual trip. He also took Hootie’s two sons Mike and Johnny. It became a twenty-five year tradition. There were also many family fishing trips to Magnolia Beach. Hurricane Carla all but destroyed Magnolia Beach in 1960.

Cecil was preceded in death by his wife Mary Lee, his parents and his brothers and sister. His survivors include sons Cecil Keith Pickens and wife Loretta of Fredericksburg, Texas and Joel Pickens of Montrose, Colorado. Others include grandchildren Elizabeth Harris and husband Jason of Houston, Texas, William Overstreet and wife Amy of Great Falls, Montana and three great grandchildren, Kendall, Preston and Addison Harris of Houston.

Cecil touched the lives of many people while at "Dirty’s" and living in Austin. He had a large and extended family including the Dickens and the Hughes families. Also special mention should also be made to the Robert W. King family. Mr. King owned the Exxon station at 19th and Guadalupe. The Harold Hans family were good friends. The Joe Klein family. There are so many others and we apologize for not mentioning everyone. Thanks to all the friends!

Special thanks to Karen Whited for her care of our father while he was still at home in Austin. Thanks also to the staff at Knopp Nursing Home in Fredericksburg.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, October 22 at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home, North Lamar. Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 23, 2010 in the Weed Corley-Fish Chapel. Interment will follow at Austin Memorial Park.

Pallbearers are Johnny Dickens, Craig Young, Harold Hans, Bobby Jack Pickens, Lowell Smith, Bobby King, and John Trenholm. Honorary pallbearers are William Overstreet and Milton Webb.