July 12, 1950 – June 3, 2023
Gordon Lee Pickett, 72, passed away at his home in Sheridan on June 3, 2023. Born on July 12, 1950, in Lebanon, Ind., he was the son of the late Bryce and Betty Jo (Johnson) Pickett. After graduating from Sheridan High School with the Class of 1968, Gordon attended Ball State University, graduating with his BS in Natural Resources, Geography in May of 1972.
Gordon actively participated in the national service fraternity Alpha Phi Omega at Ball State. He also met the love of his life, Jacqueline (Whiteman) Pickett, while in college. The two were married on June 2, 1973.
Gordon honorably served in the armed forces, beginning his career with the National Guard as a Wheeled Trac Operator. He later transferred to active-duty status with the United States Army as a part of the 34th Engineering Battalion out of Fort Riley, Kan. He was a Soils Analyst and was honorably discharged on June 7, 1977.
Gordon and Jackie then moved back to his hometown of Sheridan where they raised their three daughters. Gordon worked for 39 years as a soils lab testing manager at ATC Associates and retired August of 2016. He also worked part-time in the plumbing department at Menards in Westfield for over 20 years.
Gordon was a member of the Sheridan First United Methodist Church where he and his wife were active in the choir together. Gordon was a kind and honorable man. He thoroughly enjoyed spending his free time outdoors with nature, evident in his collegiate studies, love of camping, and participation with the Boy Scouts of America.
By far, Gordon’s heart and pride were his daughters and grandchildren. He happily traveled to their activities to support and celebrate all their accomplishments. He knew the most precious moments in life were those shared with family and took every opportunity he could to ensure his family felt loved.
Gordon is survived by his two daughters, Kristin McClain (Bruce) of Fishers and Erica Knuckles (Daniel) of Toledo, Ohio; his seven grandchildren, Raegan McMullan, Rylan McMullan, Abigail “Abby” McMullan, Ainslie McClain, Lillian Knuckles, Remington Knuckles, and Elizabeth “Betty” Knuckles; his siblings, Richard Pickett (Connie) of Charlotte, N.C., Paula Arbuckle of West Lafayette, Ind., Alice “Jeannine” Sample (Charles) of Sheridan, and Brad Pickett (Rodrigo) of Frankfort, Ind.; brothers-in-law, Ron Dennison of Noblesville, David Simons (Jackie) of Delavan, Wis., and Phil Simons (Karen) of Dayton, Ohio; and sisters-in-law, Patty Simons, Michelle Spahr, Virginia “Ginny” Fenning, and Lynn Simons.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Bryce and Betty Jo (Johnson) Pickett; sister, Cheryl Dennison; brothers-in-law, Thomas A Raison, Larry Simons, and Gene Simons; mother-in-law, Paulette Alice (Germain) Whiteman; son, Joseph Allan Pickett; daughter, Lara Pickett; and by his wife, Jacqueline (Whiteman) Pickett, on June 7, 2019.
Funeral services will be held on Monday afternoon, June 12, 2023, at the First United Methodist Church, 207 E. 2nd St., Sheridan.
Burial will follow at Crown View Cemetery in Sheridan. Pastor John Meunier will be officiating.
Visitation will take place from 4 to 8 p.m. on Sunday, June 11, 2023, at the First United Methodist Church.
Condolences: kerchevalfuneralhome.com