Lawrence Pickard

A warm and gentle man of deep devotion to his family and his Savior.

Lawrence “ Gene” Pickard was born May 18, 1927, in Alamo Township to Loren and Mildred (Kitzmiller) Pickard, the first born of four children. Gene was a typical child of the times; he knew how to make his own fun and loved to spend time with his father and uncle. Gene would ride with his dad on his fuel oil route, that took him all around the Plainwell Otsego area. He cherished the time he could spend with his uncle Bob on his farm in Alamo and developed a great sense of what a man should be.

Gene and his siblings had a good home life; their father was a good provider and their mother stayed home and attended to her family. Gene has always been an active person with many interests. In his younger years he enjoyed athletics and was a lineman for the Otsego High School football team. Gene also had a great sense of patriotism as a young man. When it was time for graduation ceremonies, he was not there, Gene had already “shipped out” with the Navy to fight in WWII, but his mother proudly collected his diploma. Gene served our country by crewing an ammunition supply ship in the Pacific theatre; he spent time in Guam, Okinawa and Pearl Harbor before the war was over. After his return to civilian life, Gene went to work at the Brown Paper Co. that later became the James River Co, He also helped his uncle Bob build the Kalamazoo Raceway.

In 1967, while camping at the Croton Dam, Gene met Barbara Jordan and a few months later they married in Cedar Springs. The next year, Barbara gave birth to their only child Larry Jr. and all that Gene knew of being a good Dad was shown to Larry. Gene would spend a great deal of his spare time teaching Larry how to fish, hunt, golf, and coaching his little league team. He would help Larry deliver newspapers on bicycles and, out of the trunk of his car on Sunday mornings.

Gene’s energy for life and interest in his family was always evident. He loved to travel to the Upper Peninsula to take in some of his favorite scenery. He enjoyed bowling, especially on the same team with his son. He loved to be outdoors and especially with his family and always looked forward to deer hunting on his brother Tom’s property in the fall.

In 1988, after 37 years at the paper mill, Gene retired and was able to spend more time doing the type of activities he loved best, like spending more time with his beloved grandchildren Todd and Amanda, and enjoying his church family, where he was known to be a great hugger, and a friend to everyone. Gene enjoyed his time talking to children at church. He liked listening to gospel music and reading his Bible. Gene loved to be on the golf course, even if it was riding a mower, he loved the quiet moments alone, thinking of his family, his church and after his major heart attack a year ago, he appreciated everyday that remained for him.

On Monday, August 4, 2003, after breakfast at home, Gene drove to the Wilderness Hills Golf Course where he was working, and just after arriving he collapsed and within a few moments had gone to be with his Lord and Savior, under hazy skies, lying on the earth he loved and lived on so well.

Gene’s memory will be forever cherished by his loving wife Barbara, his son and his wife, Larry and Tina Pickard Jr. of Plainwell, Todd and Amanda, his grandchildren and apple of his eye, his sister Margaret and her husband John Stoneburner of Delton, brothers Richard and his wife Jerry of Kalamazoo, Thomas and his wife Nancy in Hart, Michigan. The family spent time with friends at the Rupert, Durham, Marshall and Gren Funeral Homes, Plainwell Chapel, Wednesday, August 5, 2003. A Celebration of Life Service was held on Thursday, August 7, 2003 at the Lighthouse Baptist Church. Please visit Gene’s personal webpage at www.lifestorynet.com to leave a memory for his family, order flowers on-line or make a memorial gift in his name to the Michigan Heart Association.

Gene will be remembered for his gentle nature, his quiet presence and all the good and simple gifts he gave to so many, along the way.