James Pickett

Jim passed away peacefully on January 5, 2018 surrounded by his family.

Jim was born Aug. 24, 1927 to Sam & Gladys Pickett, in Hoxie, Kansas.  He lived with his parents and helped them on the farm. Jim graduated from Sheridan Community High School. He was a veteran of WWII, on active duty in the Navy from June 1, 1945 through Aug. 14, 1946, serving in the Personnel Office at Treasure Island, San Francisco, California. He continued service in the Navy Reserve until 1952. He married his high school sweetheart Elsie Treu, on Aug. 19, 1946 and they resided in Salina, Kansas for 43 years.

Jim spent his entire career with The Salina Journal Newspaper in the Advertising Department, culminating as the Classified Advertising Manager. He worked there from Jan. 6, 1947 to Jan. 6, 1987, a span of 40 years.

In 1989 they moved to the Kansas City area, living at Basehor, Kansas until 1997, then they moved to Overland Park, Kansas. He was a member of the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection, the American Legion Ed Cowles Post 370, and was active in the Greater Kansas City Organ Club. He took pleasure in a small organ music group of 7 couples that he started in 1998. In July, 2013 he and his wife Elsie moved into Tallgrass Retirement Center in Overland Park. He did Volunteer Work at his church and at St. Joseph Hospital and St. Lukes South Hospital for 15 years.

Throughout his life, Jim enjoyed going on fishing trips with his sons and son-in-law.  One of Jim's greatest pleasures was hosting barbeques or large dinners for his entire family.

Survivors include Elsie of the home, daughter Linda Karlin and husband Jim of Overland Park and their children Brian and Lisa; son Kevin Pickett and wife B.J. of Basehor, Kansas and their children Megan, Derek and Jill; Mark Pickett and wife Cindy of Topeka and their children Josh and Blake.  Jim also had three great-grandsons.  He was preceded in death by an infant brother Dwayne, mother and father, brothers DeVere, Jerry, and sister Gwen.

A Memorial Service will be held at the Wesley Chapel of Church of the Resurrection, 13720 Roe Avenue, Leawood, Kansas on February 3, 2018 at 1:30 PM.  The family requests in lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Alzheimer's Association at www.alz.org/kansascity or Kansas Hospice Care at www.kansashc.com.