John R. Pickard

John R. Pickard, admired by his family and friends, left this world to fly with the angels on Aug. 16, 2014, with his family by his side. He was 74 years old.

John was born on Aug. 21, 1939, in Sacramento, to John and Eddra Pickard. John was most known as a man of few words but one of the most giving and generous souls. His own spiritual paths guided his beliefs that each and every one of us are here to help each other.

John spent his childhood years in San Francisco, and summers in McCloud. As a young man, he served in the Army National Guard in Sacramento, California, from 1956-58. After an honorable discharge from the Army, he spent much of his time in the great outdoors, falling trees and cutting firewood for donation for those less fortunate. John was a man of many trades.

He enjoyed working as a carpenter and roofer before beginning his career working for the state.  John’s state service began at Dewitt State Hospital in Auburn, California, as a service and supply officer.  He then transferred to Stockton State Hospital and then went on to Agnews State Hospital in San Jose.

Wanting a quieter lifestyle, John and his family then moved to Sonoma, California, in 1972 in which he continued his state service at Sonoma Developmental Center. John’s passion and interests in ships and airplanes lead him to accept a shipwright position at Mare Island placing him in the perfect niche. He loved the shipyard and was cleared for a special high security task force in which he received several awards. After Mare Island closed, John took a position at the Sonoma Valley Unified School District in the maintenance department for three years before deciding to retire at the age of 60 to enjoy time with family and friends.

John’s lifelong journey was accompanied by his life companion and love, Nira Pickard. Together they raised their children with the utmost devotion. Children, Ronald Bolles, Renee Wicklund, (son-in-law Andrew) Aaron Pickard, (daughter-in-law, Melanie) and Tina Chavous. He had six grandchildren that he loved and adored, Brooke Calleja, Brady Wicklund, Cody Bolles, Brittany Pickard, Isabella Pickard and Morgan Chavous. John was survived by nephews, Jim Nott  (Gina) and Richard Steiner.

John was preceded in death by his parents John and Eddra Pickard; his sisters, Patsy Pickard and Sandra Henley; and brother, Ronald Pickard.

John and his family would like to acknowledge a very special angel that cared for him with so much love and tenderness for the past year of his life. Elenoa Nainoka was a true angel whom fell from heaven when John’s family most needed her.

Please join our family for a celebration of John’s life on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2014, at 1 p.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints (Sonoma Ward) 16280 La Grama Aqua Caliente, California 95476.

Family would like to express their appreciation to the Hospice By The Bay team for their ongoing support and excellence in providing care at such a fragile time in our lives.

Donations can be made to Hospice By The Bay, 190 W. Napa St. Sonoma, California 95476.