Obituary of Donald Pickens

MENDHAM - Donald Pickens died peacefully at home on Sunday, July 25, 2010. He was 85. Born in Wheeler, Alabama on August 9, 1924 to the late Thomas Carlie and Susie (Pippin Norwood) Pickens, he was a resident of Mendham for many years. Mr. Pickens was a veteran of World War II serving in the US Navy from 1944 to 1946. He earned a bachelor's degree from Carson Newman College, and a master's degree from the University of Tennessee. He was a senior research chemist for Allied Signal Corporation for 40 years before retiring in 1991. During his employment, he earned several patents on chemical processes. Mr. Pickens was an avid reader, and enjoyed tennis, classical music, and the NY Times crossword puzzles. He is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, the former Madge Deel, to whom he was married on June 7, 1949. Also surviving are three sons, David Norwood Pickens and his wife Mary Jean Guadadiello; Wm. Howard Pickens and his wife Patricia; and John Carl Pickens and his wife Ann; three daughters, Ann Pickens Grayeski and her husband Frank; Kate Pickens Hutson and her husband Peter; and Margaret Pickens Showalter and her husband John; and eight cherished grandchildren, Justin, Katherine, Alison, Zachary, William, Chandler, Faith and Cole. Arrangements are by the Bailey Funeral Home, 8 Hilltop Road, Mendham, NJ 07945 (973) 543-4720 www.baileyfuneralhomes.com A memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, August 14, 2010 at 11:00 AM at the First Presbyterian Church of Mendham, 16 Hilltop Road, Mendham, NJ 07945, with the Rev. Robert Heppenstall officiating. Donations, in lieu of flowers, can be made in memory of Donald Pickens to the Visiting Nurse Association of Somerset Hills, who provided such gentle care to Don in his final years, 200 Mt. Airy Road, Basking Ridge, NJ 07920.