Rile Louis Pickett

February 23, 1933 - May 23, 2009

Rile Louis Pickett Obituary Born in Multnomah County, Oregon, Rile was the first of five children born to Clayton and Elon Louis Gumm Pickett. Rile's early childhood was spent on a ranch in Tekoa, Washington and then on a family homestead in Spokane County. Bright, independent and fiercely conscientious, Rile babysat, sold magazines, newspapers and, buying his own bicycle, in other ways worked to help out his family, early on demonstrating a sincere love of children, animals, music and horticulture. Beekeeping, rock collecting, jewelry-making, hunting, fishing and outdoor life were only a few of his many interests. Earning a degree in electronics engineering, his upwardly mobile employment experiences thereafter eventually settled him at the City of Spokane's Power and Water Department. Previously serving in the U.S. Army as a training sergeant, Rile continued for a time thereafter in the reserves. One of the first to hold a Civil Air Patrol pilot's license, he later learned and then taught scuba diving subsequently becoming a member of the Sheriff's water search and rescue team and was eventually employed as a primary Block Watch organizer. With exception of a few winters "snowbirding" for agates in Quartzite, Arizona, he lived most of his adult life in Washington state in the house he designed and built in 1969. Preceded in death by two of his brothers, Glenn and Darrell Pickett, Rile is survived by his sister E. Arlene Baker; and a missing brother, Larry Lee Pickett; as well as Carolyn Ruth, his beloved second wife of 49 years; and his four daughters, Bonnie Sinclair, Patricia Mahar, Anna Jones and Linda Sears. A Funeral Service will be held on Friday, May 29, 2009 at 3:30 PM at Heritage Funeral Chapel.