Earl Pickering
Earl W. Pickering, Jr., 93, passed away on Tuesday, June 2, 2020.
Born in Chattanooga, he attended Chattanooga Central High School where he played football and was honored as an all-state guard. After his junior year, he left home to serve with the Army in World War II. After the war, he returned to Central High where he graduated. The next fall, he attended UC (the University of Chattanooga-later named UTC) where he played football for the legendary Scrappy Moore, joined the Kappa Sigma Fraternity, learned how to fly planes, and met the love of his life, Patsy Webb.
During his junior year, he left school again to go to war. Earl joined the newly formed U.S. Air Force. He was always proud to have served his country as a jet fighter pilot. He trained in the Philippines with the 44th Fighter Bomber Squad. He later gained combat experience in Korea with the USAF 8th and 18th Fighter Bomber Wings. After active duty, he continued to fly with the Air Force Reserve and later with the Army Reserve. Earl retired as a Major after 26 years of military service.
In 1956 he went to work for Combustion Engineering in the Metallurgical and Materials Laboratory. At the same time, he returned to UC and married Patsy. As he often recalled, it was a memorable year! He later earned a BS degree in Engineering Physics and retired from Combustion after 34 years. Earl and Patsy then began traveling and hiking in the western United States and Europe. They enjoyed the mountains and had a special love for one little village located at the foot of the alps called Bonigen, Switzerland. They made many new friends who blessed them with Christmas cards from around the world.
Earl was a member of First Presbyterian Church. He was also a member of the American Welding Society where he was active on the national level as a committeeman for the Welding Research Council, the International Institute of Welding, and the Retired Officers Association. He was a past Commander of the US Power Squadron boating organization. He attended City Farmers’ Club and was a life-long member of the Highland Park Mafia.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Addie Mae Pickering Sr. and two brothers, Louie and Earl Hart of Nashville.
Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Patsy W. Pickering; sons, Gary (Alicia) Pickering and Steve (Maggie) Pickering; grandsons, Jacob Pickering and Shayne Pickering; brother-in-law, Ray (Allison) Webb; many nieces and nephews.
The family would like to express their heartfelt thanks and appreciation to the Bridge Assisted Living for their caregivers, love, and support.
Earl will be laid to rest in the Chattanooga National Cemetery where he played as a young boy. A celebration of Earl’s life will be announced at a later date.
Arrangements are by the East Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, 404 South Moore Road.
The family asks that condolences and memories be shared at www.ChattanoogaEastChapel.com.