Vern Allen Pickett, 82, went to be with his Lord on Friday, Sept. 21, 2007, with family by his side at his home in Forest Grove, Ore.
Vern was born March 5, 1925, in Milliken, Colo., the son of Alvertus Bert Pickett and Sarah Blanch (Pierce) Pickett. He was raised and received his early education in Colorado until 1934 when the family moved to Sand Point, Idaho. In 1939, Vern moved with his family to the Okanogan Valley in Wash., where he graduated from high school.
He was a veteran of World War II, having joined the United States Army on Sept. 18, 1944. Vern served for two years with the 731 Engineer Depot Co. until receiving his Honorable Discharge on Nov. 18, 1946. While serving in the Army, Vern received many medals including a Purple Heart.
Following his discharge, Vern returned home and met the love of his life, Helen Terhorst, while attending a church convention in Seattle. They were married on Sept. 12, 1947. Following their marriage they made their home in the Okanogan Valley for two years before moving to Arlington, Wash. They lived in Arlington for 23 years. They also lived in Alaska, California and New Mexico until 1985 when they moved to Oregon, settling in the Forest Grove area. Vern and Helen celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary earlier this month.
While living in Arlington, Vern owned and operated a construction company, having built many residential and commercial buildings in Snohomish County. Vern was also licensed for plumbing and electrical work. For several years, he and his son, Larry, owned and operated Pickett Trucking. In the later years of his life, Vern traveled building churches in the western United States.
He was a member of the Disabled American Veterans.
God, family and country were all very important to him. Vern received Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior while in the service in 1944. God was also important to his family. His Uncle Bob Pierce founded World Vision and Samaritan Purse.
Among his interests, Vern loved working, building furniture, horses, hunting and fishing. Vern designed and built the Arlington Gospel Hall in Arlington, Wash.
He was preceded in death by his father, Alvertus Pickett; his mother, Sarah Pickett, who died at 102; a brother, Walter Pickett; a sister, Geraldine Pickett; and a son, Allen B. Pickett in 2004.
Vern is survived by his loving wife, Helen Pickett, of Forest Grove; two sons and daughters-in-law, Dale and Karen Pickett of Arlington and Lawrence Larry and Cindy Pickett of Gaston, Ore.; a daughter-in-law, Donna Pickett of Pe Ell, Wash.; a brother and sister-in-law, Gerald and Joyce Pickett of Omak, Wash.; and two sisters and a brother-in-law, Lois Jensen of Spokane, Wash.; and Hattie and Bob Diebel of Okanogan.
Also surviving are nine grandchildren, Rod, Kevin, Jason, Andy and Jonathan Pickett; Scott Grainger; Carrie Krcek; Hannah Pickett and Heather Fuller; several great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that remembrances may be made to Radio Voice of Christ, P.O. Box 7145, Beaverton, OR 97007 or to www.rvoc.gospelcom.net in his memory.
A Celebration of Verns Life was held on Saturday, Sept. 29, 2007, at 1 p.m., at the Westside Bible Fellowship, in Hillsboro, Wash. Graveside Services with military honors were held on Monday, Oct. 1, 2007, at the Willamette National Cemetery, Portland, Ore. Family and friends were invited to a reception held in the Fellowship Hall of the church immediately following the church service.
Sign the online guest book or to send a condolence by visiting www.fuitenrosehoyt.com.
Arrangements by Fuiten, Rose & Hoyt Funeral Home in Forest.