G. Delbert Pickett

February 26, 1937 – 2021

It is with great sadness the family announces the passing of Gordon Delbert Pickett of Redcliff on Sunday, June 6, 2021, at the age of 84 years. He leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Delores ‘Dee’ Pickett (nee Slater); sons, Randall (Colleen), Kent (Audrey) and Sheldon (Carmen) Pickett; daughter, Arlene (Murray) Dylke; grandchildren, Ashley, Samantha, Brady, Jordan, Taryn, Joseph, Jamie, Marcus, Dawson, Trenton, Kali and Zyan as well as his great-grandchildren, Dallas, Peyton, Harper, Liam and Emma. Del was predeceased by his son, Mark; grandson, Morgan; granddaughter, Samantha Chebuk; father, Fred Orlander Pickett; mother, Olga  Pickett (nee Narum); sisters, Hazel, Rose and Helen as well as his brothers, Mearl and Floyd Pickett.  Del was born in Welling, Alberta on February 26, 1937, to Fred and Olga Pickett. He was a bit of a rebel right from the beginning by refusing to wait until his mother could get to the hospital before he was born, so he was born at their home in Welling.  Del was the 7^th child and baby of the brood.  He had three older brothers, Floyd, Don and Mearl and three older sisters, Rose, Helen and Hazel.  Del, called Delbert by his mother, especially if he was in trouble, grew up on the family farm.  Being the baby of the family had its benefits.  His sisters were more like mothers and doted on him hand and foot.  His brothers also adored their younger brother and made life easier for him by helping him with chores and mixing in a lot of play.  All his brothers were great athletes and Del was no different.  His love was hockey.  He would tell stories of going after school to the outside rinks in Taber and playing hockey until late into the evening.  His father, Fred often was in charge of flooding the ice at the end of the night so Del would stay and play until his dad kicked him off to flood the ice.  As a result, Del became a great hockey player and played for the Taber Golden Suns for a season.  He also displayed athletic prowess on the track having been part of a 440 yard relay team that set the provincial record way back in the day.

Del completed high school and immediately started working for his brother Don who owned Beaver Lumber.  From there he worked at another lumber yard in Claresholm.  Soon he met Delores Slater and after a whirlwind romance, married her on October 31, 1962.  Del obtained employment at a custom/brokerage company in Coutts shortly after but not before his son, Randall was born.  Del’s next three children, Arlene, Mark and Kent were all born in Edmonton, where Del studied at the University of Alberta for two years.  Financial pressure abundant, Del put his schooling on hold to work for Roller Reid Bit & Co.  After a few years there, Del obtained a job in Medicine Hat at Western Cooperative Fertilizers and moved to Redcliff where he would remain (except for a few years in Lethbridge) until his passing.  It is in Medicine Hat where Del’s last child, Sheldon would be born.  Del was academically inclined and having to give up his dream of being a chemical engineer, he focused on other opportunities.  He became a journeyman insulator and graduated top of the province winning numerous awards.

Del was actively involved in his children’s lives.  He coached hockey, attended plays, sporting events and Christmas concerts.  He and Dee took the kids fishing, camping, down to Salt Lake and out to Vancouver.  Del was determined to teach his children to work and learn discipline.  Saturday mornings were ALWAYS work mornings.  No long weekends were ever had without the Monday being a work day in the yard, the house or garage.  Discipline was doled out in the forms of belts (combine strappings), extra chores and groundings.  The kids remember Del as tough but fair.  He was patient but not tolerant of bad behaviour.

The family wish to thank all of  the nursing and health care staff at St. Joseph’s Home – Carmel Hospice as well as the Riverview Care Centre; you are indeed angels of mercy! The Funeral Service will be held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1864 Division Avenue N.E,  Medicine Hat on Thursday, June 10, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. The service will be live streamed and anyone wishing to join the family virtually and experience the service can visit our website and select the View Broadcast button on the homepage at service time.  Should friends so desire, memorial donations in Del’s name may be made directly to St. Joseph’s Home, 156 – 3 Street N.E., Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 5M1or to the Riverview Care Centre, 603 Prospect Drive S.W., Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 4C2. (Condolences may be expressed by visiting our website at www.cooksouthland.com) Honoured to serve the family is Cook Southland Funeral Chapel, Crematorium & Reception Facility, 901 -13 Street S.W., Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 4V4. Telephone 403-527-6455.

 

• Date : 2021-06-07
• Location : Medicine Hat, Alberta

1. Check all listings by this user