Jerry D. Pickering

JERRY DALE PICKERING

Jerry Dale Pickering was born October 5, 1953 in Harrisburg, Illinois and departed this life on November 28, 2023 at his home in Clinton, Missouri, surrounded by the love of his family, at the age of 70 years, 1 month and 23 days.

He was the son the Delbert Eugene “Gene” and Maxine “Jeanette” (Rector) Pickering.

Jerry’s younger years were spent at his grandparent’s farm in southern Illinois, doing what every boy dreams of, driving tractors, shooting guns and driving his grandpa’s truck to town at a very young age, against his mom’s wishes. He loved the time he spent there.

Then it was on to loud music and fast cars before joining the United States Army where he was a motor transport operator in Vietnam and was also stationed in Germany before returning to the United States. In 1981, Jerry relocated to Kansas where he worked in the trucking industry. There he made many life-long friends.

On December 5, 1987, Jerry was united in marriage with Tracy Coleen Emmons in Grandview, Missouri. After their marriage they lived in Pleasant Hill, Missouri where they raised their children until 2001 when they purchased a small horse farm in Holden, Missouri. It was here that Jerry could realize his childhood dreams of again “tinkering on the farm”. In 2015, Jerry and Tracy moved to Clinton, Missouri to make their home.

Jerry enjoyed spending time with family and friends, camping, float trips, “shooting the breeze” around a campfire and spending time on his farm. He also became a very proud “Horse Show Dad”.

Jerry was a Mr. Fix It and could do anything he put his mind to with minimal “extra parts”. You could always count on him for advice by phone on how to fix something or he would just show up at your house and help you do it.

Most of all Jerry loved his family, friends and work. His laugh and smile were infectious. Jerry truly never knew a bad day and was a great friend to everyone that needed a listening ear or handyman advice.

Jerry was preceded in death by his father Gene Pickering; one brother, Randy Pickering and one infant sister, Cindy.

He is survived by his wife Tracy Coleen (Emmons) Pickering of the home; his mother, Jeanette (Rector) Pickering of Valparaiso, Indiana; one son, Jerry Pickering, Jr. of Kansas City, Missouri; two daughters, Michelle (Pickering) Nicholas of Kouts, Indiana and Trisha (Pickering) Landers and husband Clifton of LaTour, Missouri; two brothers, Chuck Pickering of Valparaiso, Indiana and Donnie Pickering and wife Sebrena of Westville, Indiana; two sisters, Sandy Hennrich and husband John of Marcellus, Michigan and Paula Gualardi of Michigan City, Indiana; sister-in-law, Terry Pickering of Valparaiso, Indiana; grandchildren, Paige Landers, Brooklyn Landers, Tristen Pickering, Cordelia Nicholas and Tyler Gene Pickering; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many, many friends.

Per Jerry’s wishes, cremation has been accorded. A Celebration of life visitation will be held from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. Saturday, December 16, 2023 at the Wallace Funeral Home in Pleasant Hill, Missouri.

The family suggests contributions in “Memory of Jerry Dale Pickering” be made to the Clinton Animal Shelter, 1307 N. Washington Street, Clinton, Missouri 64735 or may be left at the funeral home.