ROBERT LEROY PICKETT, 82

BOWEN — Robert Leroy Pickett, 82, was born in Arriba, Colo. and moved with his family to the Bowen community in 1938.

He graduated from Monte Vista High School in 1948, then joined the Army and served in Korea for two years.

Robert returned to the Valley to start his farming career. Soon after returning, he met and married Lois Hurt in 1953. They have five children and shared 58 years together. Their children are Marjorie (Victor) Barr of Knoxville, Tenn., Paul (Kathy) Pickett, James Pickett and Keith Pickett all from Monte Vista and Julia (Jeff) Johanson of Malcolm, Neb. They have seven grandchildren who visited the family farm often.

While the family farm was his biggest passion, Robert was an enthusiastic supporter of youth, community and his church. Over the course of his life, he was a 4-H leader and fair board member, sponsor for the Methodist Youth Fellowship for the Bowen and Monte Vista churches, served on the Monte Vista fire board and was a long-time member of the Bowen Drainage Board and the SLV Cemetery Board of Directors.

During his 23 years working with the youth of the church, he enjoyed taking them on backpacking trips to the surrounding mountains.

He liked to remember his work with the 4-H group on a Community Pride project that involved getting the whole community together to paint the church and fellowship hall exteriors.

When working many years with the fire board, he was most proud of his work to get the new fire station built and having it paid for with only a two-year bond issue.

Since Robert’s arrival to the Bowen community as a child, he was always an active member of the church and enjoyed keeping the buildings in good repair and church running smoothly.

Later in life, Robert was involved with Christian Community Services board and worked to help organize La Puente, Tu Casa and the Rainbow’s End projects. He joined Gideons International and used his energy and time to place Bibles in the hands of people around the world who wanted to hear God’s message.

Robert was always a farmer growing mostly barley and alfalfa and raising livestock throughout his career. His life’s loves were his crops and animals. He never grew tired of seeing healthy animals in healthy surroundings.

He taught his children to love and care for animals and to be good stewards of their surroundings. He was a member of the Royalean Pork Producers because they set high standards for the meat that was sold under their brand name.

Robert’s life was committed to his family. His wife, children and grandchildren were the lights of his life. He loved his community and his country. He loved life!

The Funeral Service was Monday, June 25, at the Bowen Community Church. Burial was in the San Luis Valley Cemetery at Monte Vista.

Contributions are suggested to Gideons International or to the charity of your choice.

Arrangements were by Rogers Family Mortuary of Monte Vista.