James “Jim” Cassius Pickett was born on January 31, 1942 in Tulsa, Oklahoma to Grant F. Pickett and Helen W. (Cassada) Pickett. He passed from this life on Tuesday, January 9, 2024 in Tulsa, at the age of 81. Jim was raised and educated in Sand Springs, Oklahoma and graduated from Sand Springs High School in 1959. He went on to earn both his bachelor’s degree and master’s in education from Northeastern State College in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. Jim was married to Gloria Virginia Sherrill on January 18, 1964 in Sand Springs.
Jim spent most of his working life as an educator. He taught history at Bell Junior High and Rogers High Schools, as well as computer science at Byrd Junior High. He then became the computer coordinator at the Tulsa Public Schools Education Service Center, where he developed and oversaw the computer curriculum for over 100 Tulsa schools. During his educational career, Jim also owned Derrick Electronics in Broken Arrow, which he operated for ten years. Upon retirement from the school system, Jim worked an additional nine years at Sabre as a customer service representative in the Hot Issues department.
Jim was a man of strong faith, dedicating his services to Skelly Drive Baptist Church in Tulsa and First Baptist Church in Owasso. He was a lifetime member of the American Radio Relay League and an avid amateur radio operator for over 65 years. Jim spent countless hours working with the radios and computers in his ham shack, and also enjoyed playing the banjo in his spare time.
Jim’s pride and joy was his family. He is survived by: His Loving Wife of almost 60 years;
Gloria Pickett Two Sons;
Russell Pickett and wife Debbie
Daniel Pickett and wife Abby Three Grandchildren;
Ash Thomson, Paige Pickett, and Grace Pickett Sister;
Marilyn Billingsly
He was preceded in death by his parents, Grant and Helen Pickett.
Jim spent most of his working life as an educator. He taught history at Bell Junior High and Rogers High Schools, as well as computer science at Byrd Junior High. He then became the computer coordinator at the Tulsa Public Schools Education Service Center, where he developed and oversaw the computer curriculum for over 100 Tulsa schools. During his educational career, Jim also owned Derrick Electronics in Broken Arrow, which he operated for ten years. Upon retirement from the school system, Jim worked an additional nine years at Sabre as a customer service representative in the Hot Issues department.
Jim was a man of strong faith, dedicating his services to Skelly Drive Baptist Church in Tulsa and First Baptist Church in Owasso. He was a lifetime member of the American Radio Relay League and an avid amateur radio operator for over 65 years. Jim spent countless hours working with the radios and computers in his ham shack, and also enjoyed playing the banjo in his spare time.
Jim’s pride and joy was his family. He is survived by: His Loving Wife of almost 60 years;
Gloria Pickett Two Sons;
Russell Pickett and wife Debbie
Daniel Pickett and wife Abby Three Grandchildren;
Ash Thomson, Paige Pickett, and Grace Pickett Sister;
Marilyn Billingsly
He was preceded in death by his parents, Grant and Helen Pickett.
Jim was deeply loved by his family, friends, and former students. He was known for his sense of humor, infectious laugh, and love of puns and wordplay. He loved singing, playing, and listening to gospel and folk music. He believed in strong character, had a powerful sense of right and wrong, and always held the door for his wife. He was an unforgettable personality, and the world is lessened by his passing.
A memorial service will be held 2:00 p.m. on Monday, January 15, 2024 in the Mowery Funeral Service Chapel, with Pastor Paul Purifoy officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Jim’s memory to The Mission, 11341 N. Garnett Rd., Owasso, OK 74055.
