Donald Harlow Pickett, 94, passed away August 20, 2016 in Salt Lake City, Utah. He was born December 4, 1921 in Salt Lake City to Harlow Walter and Stella Edmonds Pickett. He married Helen VanDuinen October 18, 1943in the Salt Lake Temple.
Dad was the 2nd oldest in a family of 7 children. Dad remembers meeting a very old man who had been partially scalped by Indians; he remembers Lindberg's flight; he remembers living through the Depression; he remembers when man first walked on the moon. His growing up years were spent on Kensington Avenue in SLC, and he remembers with fondness the many friends he made at Irving Jr. High and East High School.
In order to pay for his tuition at the University of Utah, Dad worked for ZCMI in their grocery store. It was there he met the love of his life, Helen VanDuinen, who also worked there. Mom worked to help Dad through college, but he had to put off graduating from the U of U until after the war. Dad joined the Army as a lieutenant. He was in Company A, 7th Armored Infantry Battalion of the 8th Armored Division. He fought in Germany, France and Czechoslovakia. Battles brought him three bronze stars, but it was his work as the Army-appointed mayor of St. Andreasberg, Germany that brought him the most satisfaction. He was able to help re-build a town devastated and torn apart by war.
Dad and mom raised four children: DeAnna (Lynn DeBry), Janine (Doug Adams), Teri (Bryan Howick) and Todd (Ruth Duffin). Dad was a CPA, and started his own accounting firm, which later grew to be Tanner, Brunson and Pickett. Dad was also a guide on Temple Square. Mom and Dad served an inner-city mission in SLC, and Dad taught Gospel Doctrine classes as one of his many church assignments.
Mom and Dad spent a few choice years at Zion's Summit before admitting they needed to be cared for. Dad had the opportunity of being part of KSL's Honor Flight and flew to Washington, D.C. with his daughter, Teri, as his escort. Mom died six months ago; dad was so eager to be with her. We are full of joy at a reunion we know is happening.
Dad is survived by his children and their spouses, 16 grandchildren and 40 great-grandchildren, as well as his youngest sister, Carol Pickett Stringham. He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings: Marjorie Parry, Virginia Backman, Marion Pettey, Harlow Pickett and Gloria Purrington.
Viewing: Friday, August 26, 2016 6-8 PM at Larkin Mortuary, 260 East South Temple. Funeral Saturday, August 27, 2016 11:00AM, with viewing before at 10:00AM at same.
Interment at Salt Lake City Cemetery.
