It is with deep sadness and great love that we mourn the passing of Brady Pickens, age 66, on February 9, 2020, in Tulsa, OK, after suffering months of failing health.

Brady was born July of 1953 in Stillwater, OK, to Gene and Joyce Pickens. He was a 1971 graduate of Ponca City High School and went on to earn a Biological Science degree from Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, OK, in 1978. Brady was blessed to work at Phillips 66 in Research and Development in Bartlesville, OK, before retiring in 2013. In May of 1977, Brady married the love of his life, Carolyn Pickens, in Ponca City, OK, where the couple built their lives focused on family, friends, & fun. He was the loving father of Alison Close and her husband Justin, and the proudest grandfather to Isabella Grace Close, all of Tulsa, OK.

Beloved brother of Craig (Melissa) Pickens, Jerry (Jonita) Pickens and Alvin (Debbie) Farmer and loved by many cousins, extended family and dear friends, Brady will be remembered for his heart, smile and strong family values.

Those values started with Brady’s mother, who strived to “raise her boys right!” Brady remained extremely close to his mother throughout his life and was always a self-proclaimed “Momma’s Boy.” Brady and his brothers grew up fishing, hunting, camping, and racing through the streets of Ponca City. The boys frequently traveled to nearby lakes for outdoor adventures surely complimented with numerous shenanigans. These weren’t just any brothers, they were best friends. Brady continued to bond with and speak to his brothers every day of his life, even though they lived hours apart. This was truly a band of brothers that never failed.

The great outdoors never left Brady and as he and Carolyn raised their family, they enjoyed many beautiful days at their lake house (lot # 39) at Lake Ponca. He worked each weekend tending to the cabin, gassing up the jet skis, and pulling Alison’s friends around the lake on the ski bob. When Brady wasn’t entertaining whoever showed up at the dock that day, he was working hard to keep the cabin something of which his family would be proud. Brady always had a passion for the lake, boats, fishing, and camping. When he wasn’t at the lake, it was the ocean calling Brady’s name. He especially enjoyed visiting the beaches of Mexico and St. Thomas with his family. Music and sports also nourished Brady’s soul. He loved the sounds of Crosby Steel and Nash, The Beatles, and of course Tom Petty. He was a college football fan, always cheering on his Oklahoma State University Cowboys and reminding his young daughter, Alison, that she too would be a “Cowboy” someday.

Brady lived to support Alison and her many school and sports activities. Dad never missed a game that she would cheer at as a Ponca City Wildcat. Brady also enjoyed spending time with his son-in-law, Justin. Notably, one of the most memorable road trips he ever had was with Justin as they visited the campus of the University of Alabama and The Grove at Ole’ Miss.

Above all, Brady loved being “Poppy” to his one and only granddaughter, Ella. In fact, Poppy was the first to arrive at St. John Hospital the day that he was to become a grandfather. In the years that past, if Ella was present, Brady had a smile on his face. He enjoyed reading to her, playing games, playing with their dog (Summit), and watching Ella play basketball.

In the later part of his life, Brady was able to live out his true passion for loving and helping others as volunteer at Hillcrest South Hospital in Tulsa. Brady’s kindness and desire to love others before himself will be his legacy.

Family, friends and others whose lives Brady touched are invited to pay their respects at Floral Haven in Broken Arrow, OK. A celebration of life service will be held at 11 am on Friday, February 14, at Harvard Avenue Christian Church, 5502 S. Harvard Ave, Tulsa, OK.

For those who wish; memorial donations in memory of Brady may be made to Clare House; 7617 S Mingo Rd, Tulsa, OK 74133.

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