Johnny (John) Ward Pickett was born June 16, 1940, in Valley City, North Dakota, to Florence and Wayne Pickett. He was the second child of five, with one older brother Perry and three younger sisters Pat, Shirley and Linda.

He lived briefly in Rogers, North Dakota, then a short time in Butte, Montana before the family settled in Bremerton, Washington where John attended school. In grade school, John was very proud of being a safety crosswalk guard. While attending junior high and high school he was a serious and talented student who was a star football player and sang in a quartet that toured all the high schools in the area!

He started college at Olympic College where he was Student Body President and had the lead role in musicals such as Showboat and Oklahoma. He earned a degree in Civil Engineering and Industrial Engineering from the University of Washington and became a life long Husky fan! After college, John spent 31 years working as an engineer for the US Navy Supervising of Shipbuilding.

John met his wife, Judy, at Olympic College and they married in 1966.They bought a farm on Vashon, where they welcomed their three children, John, Matthew and Colleen. While there, John rebuilt the old farmhouse and also became a gentleman farmer raising prized registered Herefords. He sold grass fed beef long before it became the “in” thing! Later, when the family relocated on the Island, John was more than happy to start with another remodeling project.

John and Judy raised their children on the Island. The family enjoyed recreating; including camping, hiking, skiing and road trips. Upon retirement, John bought a farm in Eastern Washington and became a serious farmer in training for ten years. During that time, he gained a great appreciation for farmers!

John was quiet with an active mind, a quick wit and dry sense of humor. He kept very busy with various projects and handyman duties, as there was nothing he didn’t think he could do or wouldn’t try to fix. John had an extraordinary work ethic which he instilled is his three children. One project he was particularly proud of is a late 1800s Victorian house he painstakingly restored to its original detail.

John fought Parkinson’s and cancer. Music was a comfort and the last few years he was always listening and singing to his favorites – Neal Diamond, the Bee Gees, and Elton John to name a few. He passed away peacefully September 3 with family by his side and music softly playing.

John is survived by his wife, Judy, three children – John (Tammy), Matthew (Julie) and Colleen Pickett, as well as five grandchildren Brandon, Jayme, Erin, Nathan and Hannah, three sisters and their families. He will be dearly missed.

You are invited to join the family December 8, 1:30 p.m. at the Burton Lodge for a “Celebration of Life.”

In remembrance of John donations may be made to the Parkinson’s Research Foundation.

June 16, 1940 – September 3, 2024