Donald Pickering

Donald Dean Pickering, 75, formerly of Fulton, died at 3:50 a.m., May 27, 2008, at the home of his daughter in Fulton, after an extended illness.

Funeral services will be held Thursday at 10 a.m. at Maupin Funeral Home in Fulton with the Rev. Bruce Williamson officiating. Visitation will be held Wednesday from 5 until 7 p.m. at the funeral home. There will be a Masonic service at 7 p.m. Pickering Funeral Home in Mexico is in charge of the arrangements.

Mr. Pickering was born on August 12, 1932, in Fulton, a son of Guy Thomas and Betty Wright Pickering. He graduated from Fulton High School in 1950, served in the U.S. Army for two years and was stationed in Alaska. In January 1956, he married Donna Ray Cox, who survives at the home.

He worked with his father in the Pickering Sheet Metal business, became a salesman for the Williamson Co., and opened his own Heating and Cooling business. He finally took over his father s business in Fulton until he was severely burned in 1982. He retired to Rockport, Texas, until 2004 when he moved to Lakeview, Ark., on Bull Shoals Lake. He was an avid hunter and fisherman and loved being near the lakes.

In addition to his wife, survivors include three sons, John T. Pickering and wife Darla, Fulton, James B. Pickering and wife Carol, Mokane, and Robert L. Pickering and wife Karen, Bloomsdale, Mo.; two daughters, Tricia L. Miller and husband Dale, Denton, Texas, and Mary E. Gordon and husband Jeffery, Fulton; two brothers, Guy T. Pickering Jr. and wife Florence, Fulton, and Connie L. Pickering and wife Barbara, Mexico; 13 grandchildren, five great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society or to the Missouri River Hospice. They may be sent in care of Pickering Funeral Home, 403 N. Western, Mexico, MO 65265.