August 12, 1952 – November 27, 2019
Bruce Wayne Pickett, 67, Sheridan, following a long and courageous battle with cancer, peacefully passed away Wednesday morning, November 27, 2019 at his sister and brother-in-law’s home in Tipton, surrounded by his loving family. Born August 12, 1952 in Lebanon, he was the son of Clifford “Pokey” and Dortha “Dort” (Myers) Pickett.
Bruce was a 1970 graduate of Sheridan High School and proudly served his country in the United States Navy as a machinist aboard the USS Hector.
After his time in the Navy was complete, Bruce hired on as a machinist with Westfield Manufacturing and stayed with the company for roughly six years. In 1985, Bruce took a more active role in the family business, Pickett Oil Company and Pickett’s Point gas station. For 20 years, Bruce, along with his brother David, co-owned both businesses. For the better part of those years, you could usually find him behind the wheel of one of the fuel delivery trucks or talking to customers at the Point. After the sale of the company he worked for DeVol Welding, and later as a freelance fabricator mechanic.
Bruce was what some might call a world class tinkerer. He always seemed to be fiddling around with somebody’s car, or one of the company trucks, or some piece of equipment. Whether it needed worked on or not was of no concern, it would be messed with, regardless. Add to that a fondness for auctions, and it was no wonder Bruce was able to amass an ever-growing collection of tools. Be it creativity or sheer stubbornness, there was always a need for more tools, because you never know when you are going to need that one … or that one … or that one hanging up over there. He also had quite the collection of what his family referred to as “ugly” cow statues and figurines.
Bruce was generous with both his talents and his time. It seems that the talent he was the most generous with was his razor-sharp wit. He loved putting a smile on people’s faces and he was always able to do it without missing a beat.
Bruce is survived by his parents; his son, Mikel Pickett (Jessica), Chicago; two sisters, Michelle Jones (Stan), Tipton, and Mel Bales (Lee Bayer), Westfield; one brother, Dave Pickett (Meg), Sheridan; six nieces and nephews, Shannon (Ian) Gilbert, Brandie Stapleton, Todd (Karissa) Jones, Kyle (Stef) Jones, Carey (Mark) Mayernick and Erin (Matt) Wise; and 22 great-nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Howard and Pearl Pickett; and by his maternal grandparents, Cloyd and Elsie Myers.
Services will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, November 30, 2019 at Kercheval Funeral Home, 306 E. 10th St., Sheridan, with visitation from 10 a.m. until the time of service. Burial with Military Honors will follow at Crown View Cemetery in Sheridan. Pastor Carol Fritz will be officiating.
Bruce always said that he would come back and haunt anyone who wore a suit to his funeral. It is with that thought in mind that Bruce’s family requests everyone come in their jeans and flannels out of respect for Bruce’s wishes, and for fear that he might actually have figured out how to do it.
Arrangements
Calling: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Nov. 30
Service: 2 p.m., Nov. 30
Location: Kercheval Funeral Home
Condolences: kerchevalfuneralhome.com