A kind, loving, and gentle man who always greeted me with smiles and long and strong hugs!  Ralph, I will always love you and treasure the great times we shared in the Panhandle and Austin!

Ralph was a wonderful dear person.  I have many good memories of the couple of years we were together.  He always treated me like a princess, and will truly be missed.   Love you Ralphie!

I feel compelled to say a few things about him because we were really good friends in High School. I can't actually remember when we met, but it was probably in the hallway between classes at CHS or in a class or maybe the lunch room. I do remember this one thing, because it thought it really strange that anyone would just be standing around singing to himself (I said this in a PM with Brian Salter recently). The song he was singing was one that probably I didn't even know at the timecalled All the Young Dudes, by Mott the Hoople. Strange song to be singing, in public and at a new school, but that really was how he was. He was extremely astute and socially conscious, feeling that things could use shaking up. His way, and mine later was through music as part of that social commentary. His love of the band X(especially the album The New World), Eddy Grant, Bob Marley, the Dead Kennedys and probably most of all, the Clash (London Calling had just come out when we met) really explained his ideas a lot; but even more so, he had an easy going way about him that didn't threaten anyone beyond just wanting to shake up the status quo. Just like everyone else in Canyon, we drove around town on Friday nights a lot, hung out in the McDonald's parking lot (he worked there too, as I recall) and just generally enjoyed being teenagers. As the years flew by, I saw him less and less, sometimes the occasional show, until he just sort of disappeared; moving on to the next phase in his life, just like we all do when we move from our youth to our adulthood. I picked up my old annual, the other day after hearing of his passing, and read his note that sort of signified that passingand an odd cartoon he drew of me as well. Funny guy to be sure, with a huge heart and interesting mind. When FaceBook showed up on the scene, like most of our contemporaries we found it a great place to reunite; and we were friends there, but not in the classic senseI sent him a few notes and rarely, if ever heard back. I am a bit reminded of the Frank Capra movie, It's Wonderful Life, in trying to sort this out and find the right place in my heart and mind to remember Ralph. The line delivered by Clarence the angel, Strange, isn't it? Each man's life touches so many other lives. When he isn't around he leaves an awful hole, doesn't he? I wondered for years what happened to Ralph, wondered what his life was like, wondered if he had given to other friends the gifts that he gave me. 
I hear him singing along with all those bands sometimes, even as the years have passed, his voice is still among the ones I would very much have like to have heard again.

I was Ralph's classmate at CHS. I remember him being so sweet and funny. This is very sad to hear. I am so sorry for your loss. I will keep his family in my prayers.

I was Ralphie's best friend 2nd ONLY to Jeff Jacala for many years. My name is Dana Lee Simmons...AKA fun neighbor at the Overlook Apts. we met @ the mailbox one eve after I got off work, and he scared me as I intersected him at night! He seemed to be following me, alongside almost to my apt.! Found out, this extremely tall, dark stranger lived underneath me! Same bldg. 2nd floor, me third! How nice! We became together as best buddies for 4 years! H.E.B., Port A., Biking, Starbucks< movies, tubing @ river in New B., ENDLESS fun! Painting @ home, dancing country to U-Tube.. This dude taught Me Algebra for God's sake.An imposible task. A man of extreme patience, silence, sweet, sexy, tall, dark and a doll. I will miss Ralphie forever..Sincerely, Dana(AKA neighbor)

So saddened to hear of Ralph's passing.  We had some really great times growing up in Amarillo. Prayers to your family.

OBITUARY

Ralph Pickens

February 10, 1966 – February 5, 2017

Sunset North Funeral Home

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Updates

Services