Earl Pickett of Spokane Valley, formerly of Orofino, passed away with his loved ones by his side on April 17, 2014. Earl was born May 12, 1935, to Calvin and Julia Pickett in Barnston, Neb. He served in the U.S. Air Force as a radio technician at Larson Air Force Base in Moses Lake, Wash., until 1956. He moved to Orofino and married Yvonne Keltner in 1957.
During his career years, Earl worked for the Camas Prairie Railroad, the Ahsahka planer mill, the U.S. Post Office and owned his Farmers Insurance Agency for 27 years. Civically, Earl was a county commissioner for Clearwater County, served on the Idaho Counties Risk Management board and the North Central Board of Health. In Orofino, he served as a volunteer emergency medical technician, Backcountry Medical Rescue member, participated in the Jaycees, Boy Scouts, Kiwanis, Eagles, Orofino Celebrations Inc. and the Iguanas Club. He was also involved in Meals on Wheels while living in Spokane.
Earl lived in Orofino until 2002, when they moved to Spokane Valley, Wash., to be close to family. He is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Yvonne. He is also survived by daughter Erlene; son Randy and his wife Donette and granddaughters Alexandria and Samantha, all of Spokane; son Mike and his wife Linda and grandchildren Madison and Lucas of Overland Park, Kan.; and his sister,
Waunita Mayhew, of Kearney, Neb. He was preceded in death by his mother, father and brother, Kenneth Pickett.
The inurnment will be held June 20 at the Veterans Affairs cemetery at Medical Lake, Wash., and a celebration of life will be held June 21 in Orofino, with details to follow. In lieu of flowers or memorials, the family asks that you give your time or money generously to Meals on Wheels or the organizations of your choice. We look forward to sharing time together with friends in Earl's memory on June 21 in Orofino.
