John Karl Picha

Jack Picha, 74, died peacefully at home surrounded by his family on Dec. 24, 2010. He was preceded in death by his parents, Art and Lydia Picha; his mother-in-law, Berta Bergmann; his sister-in-law, Ursula Bergmann of Selb, Germany; and his special niece, Tanya Trnka of Montgomery, MN. He is survived by his beloved wife of 51 years, Ingrid, from Selb, Germany; his son, Irvin of Atlanta, GA.; his daughter, Joanne, his son-in-law Todd Gardner; his grandson and little buddy, Christian Gardner, of Mechanicsville, VA; brothers, Bud (Sharon), Roy, and Gayle Picha of Silver Lake, MN; niece, Michelle Picha of St Paul, MN; and sister-in-law, Marlene Wigle and family of Titusville, FL.

Jack was born Feb. 9 1936 in Silver Lake, MN, and lived in Hampton since 1970. He served in the military during the Vietnam War. In 1984, Jack retired from the Air Force after 27 years of active duty, and retired from Civil Service on January 31, 2010 after 24 years at the NN Shipyard. He received the Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters, the AF Organizational Excellence Award Ribbon, and the AF Good Conduct Medal with six oak leaf clusters. He loved vegetable gardening and especially fresh water fishing with his wife.

A celebration of Jack's life will be held Thursday, Dec. 30, 2010 at 1:00 PM, at Parklawn-Wood Funeral Home, 2551 N. Armistead Avenue, Hampton, officiated by Rev. Ed Binder. Interment will follow immediately after the service at Parklawn Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, snacks and food, expressions of sympathy may take the form of donations to the SPCA, 523 J. Clyde Morris Blvd, Newport News, VA.

The family expresses sincere appreciation to a special friend, Chuck Nelson, for his continuing care and support, to Annamarie Schauer for her ongoing assistance, to Don Waller (Jack’s barber), to Judy Campbell and all Jack’s other coworkers and friends at the shipyard, the IT Breakfast Huddle, to nurses and aides, Cindy, Jessica, Barbara, Audrey, Rita, Stacey and Kelly of Personal Touch Hospice.

Friends are encouraged to visit www.parklawn-woodfh.com to share memories and words of condolence with the family.

Arrangements are under the care of Parklawn-Wood Funeral Home, 2551 N. Armistead Ave. in Hampton, 23666.