Obituary for Donald Robert Pickens
Every great story comes to an end eventually, and on January 24, 2023, Donald Robert Pickens of Jane Lew, tired of dealing with dementia, concluded his tale while under the care of hospice at WVU Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown and moved on to his next project.
Born March 4, 1927, in Weston, Don would spend the next 95 years living an eventful and colorful lifefull of family, friends, and laughs. After enlisting early in the U.S. Navy, he missed his Weston HighSchool graduation in 1945 to serve on the USS Shadwell and USS Tolovana in World War II, taking up boxing to pass the time, a hobby he would later pass down to his daughter. Once his discharge was finalized in 1946, Don briefly returned home to Weston before moving to Michigan to work for Ford Motor Company. While in Michigan he also worked for a professional laundry company where he learned how to put a crease in a pair of pants that could withstand several washes.
When Don returned home to West Virginia to stay, he began a 38-year career with the railroad system, continuing a family legacy in the business. During that time, Don worked his way up from brakeman to engineer, employed by Baltimore and Ohio Railroad/Chessie System and CSX. He was close friends with many of his coworkers throughout the years, staying in touch long after retirement, sharing stories, laughs, and fond memories.
After his retirement from the railroad in 1987, Don continued to work up into his late 80s, first in construction with his uncle and later at The Fitness Factory, where he was a member until 2020. A
notorious tinkerer, he enjoyed many hobbies throughout his life including dune buggy racing, ramp
digging, chicken fighting, and working on cars. Before its closure, he spent some good times at A.A.
Tucci’s in Weston. Later in his life you could find Don either mowing his lawn, caretaking his large
garden every summer, and winemaking in his cellar, said wine being a popular topic in Weston for many
people. He and his son-in-law John developed a close friendship in later years, and often you could find
them watching TV together, napping, or grabbing a bite to eat at T&L or Giovanni’s.
Don never knew a stranger, and everywhere he went there was always someone to talk to, hug, and make a joke with to pass the time. He was larger than life and made an impression wherever he went. Whether he went by dad, Uncle Donald, or Don, he was always involved with the lives of those around him.
Donald was the son of the late Adam Wellington Pickens, Sr., and the late Dale Rohrbough Pickens of Weston. He was preceded in death by one son, Donald Robert Pickens, Jr.; one step-son, Robert Eugene Lake, and ten brothers and sisters: Ruth Madyline Pickens Kidd, James Gilbert Pickens, George Lawrence Pickens, Juanita Virginia Pickens, Adam Wellington “Junior” Pickens, Patricia Joann Pickens, David Lee Pickens, Richard Keith Pickens, Rita June Pickens Weaver, and one infant brother. He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Opal Delores Randolph Pickens; daughter, Rebecca June Pickens Clise and husband John of Weston; son, Mark Anthony Pickens and wife Donna of Brunswick, Ohio; step-daughter, Sherri Ann Lake Mitchell and husband Skip of Little Rock, South Carolina; step-son, Larry Kenneth Lake and wife Debbie of Fayetteville, North Carolina; special nephew Robert Eugene Weaver of Weston; ten grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. He is also survived by his beloved dog Buddy and cat Manx.
Don will be greatly missed by his family and friends. As one special friend said, “Fair winds and
following seas, shipmate. We have the watch.”
Per his request, Donald has been cremated and a Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, April 8, 2023 at the Weston Masonic Temple with fellowship time from 1-3 p.m. Online condolences and life stories in memory of Donald may be expressed at hardmanfamilyfuneralhome.com.
Hardman Family Funeral Home of Weston is honored and privileged to serve the family of Donald Robert Pickens
Born March 4, 1927, in Weston, Don would spend the next 95 years living an eventful and colorful lifefull of family, friends, and laughs. After enlisting early in the U.S. Navy, he missed his Weston HighSchool graduation in 1945 to serve on the USS Shadwell and USS Tolovana in World War II, taking up boxing to pass the time, a hobby he would later pass down to his daughter. Once his discharge was finalized in 1946, Don briefly returned home to Weston before moving to Michigan to work for Ford Motor Company. While in Michigan he also worked for a professional laundry company where he learned how to put a crease in a pair of pants that could withstand several washes.
When Don returned home to West Virginia to stay, he began a 38-year career with the railroad system, continuing a family legacy in the business. During that time, Don worked his way up from brakeman to engineer, employed by Baltimore and Ohio Railroad/Chessie System and CSX. He was close friends with many of his coworkers throughout the years, staying in touch long after retirement, sharing stories, laughs, and fond memories.
After his retirement from the railroad in 1987, Don continued to work up into his late 80s, first in construction with his uncle and later at The Fitness Factory, where he was a member until 2020. A
notorious tinkerer, he enjoyed many hobbies throughout his life including dune buggy racing, ramp
digging, chicken fighting, and working on cars. Before its closure, he spent some good times at A.A.
Tucci’s in Weston. Later in his life you could find Don either mowing his lawn, caretaking his large
garden every summer, and winemaking in his cellar, said wine being a popular topic in Weston for many
people. He and his son-in-law John developed a close friendship in later years, and often you could find
them watching TV together, napping, or grabbing a bite to eat at T&L or Giovanni’s.
Don never knew a stranger, and everywhere he went there was always someone to talk to, hug, and make a joke with to pass the time. He was larger than life and made an impression wherever he went. Whether he went by dad, Uncle Donald, or Don, he was always involved with the lives of those around him.
Donald was the son of the late Adam Wellington Pickens, Sr., and the late Dale Rohrbough Pickens of Weston. He was preceded in death by one son, Donald Robert Pickens, Jr.; one step-son, Robert Eugene Lake, and ten brothers and sisters: Ruth Madyline Pickens Kidd, James Gilbert Pickens, George Lawrence Pickens, Juanita Virginia Pickens, Adam Wellington “Junior” Pickens, Patricia Joann Pickens, David Lee Pickens, Richard Keith Pickens, Rita June Pickens Weaver, and one infant brother. He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Opal Delores Randolph Pickens; daughter, Rebecca June Pickens Clise and husband John of Weston; son, Mark Anthony Pickens and wife Donna of Brunswick, Ohio; step-daughter, Sherri Ann Lake Mitchell and husband Skip of Little Rock, South Carolina; step-son, Larry Kenneth Lake and wife Debbie of Fayetteville, North Carolina; special nephew Robert Eugene Weaver of Weston; ten grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. He is also survived by his beloved dog Buddy and cat Manx.
Don will be greatly missed by his family and friends. As one special friend said, “Fair winds and
following seas, shipmate. We have the watch.”
Per his request, Donald has been cremated and a Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, April 8, 2023 at the Weston Masonic Temple with fellowship time from 1-3 p.m. Online condolences and life stories in memory of Donald may be expressed at hardmanfamilyfuneralhome.com.
Hardman Family Funeral Home of Weston is honored and privileged to serve the family of Donald Robert Pickens