Thomas Jack Pickett

Video Memorial TributeThomas Jack Pickett, age 75, passed away peacefully to join our heavenly Father Friday morning, October 28, 2016, at the Mississippi State Veterans Home in Oxford, MS. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, November 2, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. in the Martin Willingham Memorial Chapel of Wells Funeral Home in Batesville, MS. The family will receive friends Tuesday evening from 5:00 to 8:00 at the Funeral Home. Interment will follow the service at Chapel Hill Cemetery with full military honors.Thomas Jack Pickett was born on September 5, 1941 in Pope, MS to the late Brady and Zelma Baker Pickett. He is survived by his wife Dorothy Daugherty Pickett of Pope, MS; two sons, Chris and Brad Pickett both of Pope, MS; granddaughter, Devan Alexandria Pickett, two grandsons, Jackson and Manley Pickett; sister, Frances Pickett of Southaven, MS; brother, Charles Hugh "Charlie" Pickett of Pope, MS, as well as his nieces, Tamie, Mandy, Penny, and nephews Mike, Patrick, Jeffrey and Phillip.Jack spent his entire life in the Pope area. He often traveled for work but always referred to Pope as home. Jack was a loving and devoted husband and father who came from humble beginnings as the son of a share-cropper. Jack worked many odds jobs in his early years, from digging ditches for the Liberty Hill Water Association to factory work at Polaron in Batesville, MS, until finally settling in as a union insulator with the Local 90 asbestos workers union in Memphis, TN. Although this career path would  often take him away from his loved ones, he was determined that hard work would pay off. He had a vision of where he wanted to be and continued to move forward to accomplish his goals. Having worked his way up in a very competitive environment, Jack believed anyone could accomplish whatever they set their mind to if you worked hard. Having proven this fact by starting out as field insulator and working his way up to  foreman, then supervisor, estimator and finally branch manager for United Thermal Industries out of Marion, IL.In 1986, Jack made a decision to go into business with two of his friends and colleagues, Bobby Stewart and Wayne Clearman in Memphis, TN.  They formed a partnership and more importantly a bond that would prevail over time. As Thermo-Spray and Clear-Art expanded, so did the opportunities. Jack was able to work on many projects, from the White House in Washington, D.C., to Rocky Flats Nuclear arms depot in Denver, CO. He even worked as far west as the Irvin Towers in Irvin, CA. This small town boy, who never lost sight of his goals, had made his mark in the world. Jack also worked with his wife, Dorothy, in a restaurant known as the Catfish Hut. He would often be seen socializing with the guests and trading stories to keep everyone entertained. He never forgot where he came from, and always maintained his love of the farm he had grown up on. After his retirement, Jack rekindled his love of raising cattle and kept a herd of cattle to keep him busy. Jack would often be seen with his granddaughter, Devan, in tow around the farm. Later his grandsons, Jackson and Manley, were taken under his wing, so he could encourage them. Jack was a Mason and member of Panola Lodge 66, and he was the former commissioner of Pope Volunteer Fire Department.Jack served in the Mississippi National Guard until he finally retired in 2001 after 32 years of service, with the retired rank of E9, SGM. He served as the Food Service Supervisor for the 168th Engineer Group and was part of the State Inspector General Inspection team. He initially served with the 223rd Engineer Battalion, and with Troop B, 1/108th Armored Calvary unit in Batesville, MS. His awards include the Sharpshooter Rifle Qualification Badge, the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal with Silver Oak Leaf Cluster, National Defense Servcie Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with Hour Glass Device, NCO Professional Development Ribbon with numeral 3, Army Service Ribbon, Mississippi Magnolia Cross, Mississippi Commendation Medal, Mississippi Medal of Efficiency, Mississippi War Medal, Mississippi Longevity Medal with Silver Oak Leaf Cluster.