Jim Pickens

Jim was born at the Montrose Hospital on October 21, 1947. He died unexpectedly on July 31, 2026, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand Junction.

His parents were Clarence and Elsa Pickens, long-time residents of Olathe, Colorado. He was the youngest of four children and spent his youth helping his parents run storage cellars for the area’s onion farmers. He was active in Boy Scouts, Little League, and band. He graduated from Olathe High School in 1965. With a music scholarship, he attended Western State College in Gunnison, where he graduated with a B.A. in business administration. The Vietnam War required a lottery system to meet the draft requirements. Jim’s low number meant he had to prepare to serve. With friends from college, he joined the Army National Guard in Montrose and spent the next six years in training for possible deployment.

He and his wife of nearly 55 years were married in Las Vegas in 1970 and settled in Grand Junction shortly thereafter. Jim worked most of his life in different Savings and Loan companies and as a Realtor. He retired after 20 years as an appraiser for Mesa County government. He was an amazing husband, father of two, and grandfather, and would do anything for his family. He could fix anything, given time, and he didn’t need permission to curse at whatever he was repairing.

He and Terry loved hiking and covered many miles on the Colorado Monument and all the big national parks in the West. They had a travel trailer and particularly enjoyed camping at Ridgway Reservoir.

Jim was known for his friendliness, kindness, and generosity. He will be missed by his many friends, the people he helped, and those he met while walking the dirt roads of Matchett Field. More recently, he and Terry walked daily at Canyon View Park with their little dog, Missy.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents and sisters Ruth, June, and Alice. He is survived by his wife, son Christopher, daughter-in-law Mary, and grandson Damon, of Grand Junction, as well as daughter Katie, an artist living in Breckenridge.

At his request, there will be no services.