Herschel Pickett

Herschel Ray Pickett was born July 9, 1940, in McDonald, Kansas, and passed away on December 6, 2016 in Aurora, Colorado at the age of 76 years.  At the age of 5, he moved with his parents Floyd and Laverne Pickett, to a farm south of Goodland, Kansas.  He attended a one room, one teacher, country school through the 8th grade.  During this time, 4-H was one of his major activities.  His 4-H projects included wheat, beef, lambs, and junior leadership.  He served as president of his club and earned the 4-H Key Award for outstanding contributions to 4-H club work.  It was in 4-H, that he met his future wife, Eunice House.

He attended school in Edson, Kansas and Goodland, Kansas playing football, basketball and track.  He was a member of Future Farmer’s of America, lettered in livestock judging, and was awarded the FFA State Farm Award.  He graduated from Kansas State University with a degree in Agriculture Economics with a major in economics and rural banking.  While at KSU, he was a member of Acacia Fraternity, serving as rush chairman and president.  He also spent one semester at the University of Arizona in Tucson, helping to organize a chapter of Acacia Fraternity.

Herschel and Eunice were married on June 17, 1962.  Herschel’s first job after graduating from college was with the First National Bank in Lebanon, Kansas.  Three years later, he was drafted into the US Army, receiving his training as a military policeman at Ft. Gordon, Georgia, where he was selected for the outstanding graduate award.  He served at Ft. Gordon as an MP.  His first daughter, Teresa, was born at Ft. Gordon.

Following the military, Herschel was employed by the First National Bank in Quinter, Kansas.  His son, Brian, was born in Quinter.  He was then employed by a newly chartered bank, the Kansas State Bank, in Manhattan, Kansas, where he served as vice president and cashier, later being promoted to president.  His daughter, Penny, was born in Manhattan.  In 1976, he moved to Parker, Colorado where he was employed by Frontier Bank in Denver, Colorado, and ERA Realty.

In 1983, he chartered the First National Bank of Parker, serving as president and CEO.  He was a member of the Parker United Methodist Church, the Economic Development Council, and the Parker Chamber of Commerce, where he served on the board as president.  He was the recipient of the O’Brien Award for outstanding service to the chamber and to the community.  He was a board member of Colorado Banker’s Association.

First National Bank of Parker was sold to Norwest Banks in 1996, then to Wells Fargo in 2000.  After Herschel retired, he spent his winters in Phoenix, Arizona.  He enjoyed hunting, fishing and golfing.  He is survived by his wife Eunice, his daughter Teresa (Todd) Bonnett, his son Brian (Linda Verner) Pickett, daughter Penny (Scott) Muzzy, and six grandchildren, Kyle Bonnett, Ryan Bonnett, Halle Pickett, Josie Pickett, Nicholas Muzzy, and Grayson Muzzy.  His is also survived by his brother Alan Pickett, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Floyd and Laverne Pickett.

Private burial will be held in the Grace Cemetery in McDonald, Kansas.