Kirby Elliott Pickett

Kirby Pickett

Gunnison, Utah

Our father, grandfather, brother, uncle, husband and best friend, Kirby Elliott Pickett, returned to his heavenly home surrounded by his 4 children. He just celebrated his 81st birthday but he was a kid at heart. Kirby was born in Gunnison, Utah July 7, 1939 and died in Provo, Utah July 25, 2020. His parents were Erma Olsen Pickett and Merrill Pickett.

Kirby was born and raised on the family farm, the youngest of 6 kids. He was a farmer his whole life and loved to work the land. He enjoyed planting, growing and harvesting crops to feed his animals. He milked cows and owned his own dairy for many, many years. He was a jack of all trades, fixing and running his own equipment. When he sold the milk cows he got on his horse and took up herding range cows up 12 Mile Canyon with his family. In his younger years he worked at the sugar beet factory, attended Snow College, USU, and was drafted into the Army shortly after high school. He married Georgeana Jensen in the Manti, Utah Temple on April 12, 1969. She preceded him in death March 22, 2015. They had 4 children who learned invaluable life skills and lessons and treasured every minute they could working and playing alongside their dad.

He enjoyed hunting, riding his motorbike, cutting cedar post, cutting his own Christmas trees, going for rides, and anything involved with going up the mountains or to check things on the farm, especially when it was with his family. He was happiest being able to be home on his farm where he could enjoy a slower pace of life. He didn’t need the fancy things, he was happy and made due with what he had. Kirby may not have been real social, but he possessed the qualities of a genuine friend. He was: selfless, patient, a hard worker, a tease who loved to joke and have fun, tough, humble, and he always provided for his family. Through kindness and example he was a mentor who fostered these qualities into the young lives he employed milking cows and as a Primary teacher for many years. Dad taught us responsibility and showed us how to make working on the farm fun.

Dad was the rock of the family, he could always make you feel better and was more concerned about his family than himself. He worried about his kids and was there to help and support them whenever they needed anything. If you needed him you could always find Dad around the farm and he’d show up around the house or yard just to visit. He would drop whatever he was doing to help you with what you were doing. He wanted to take you out to eat for your birthday or just get together with family to visit and spend time together. He was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and taught his children the Gospel through everything he did. He also taught his kids everything from driving a truck and tractor, to fixing things, to finding a way of solving problems on their own. Some of the most valuable lessons were also learned going for a ride to check the water or feed the cows and spending one on one time talking with Dad.

Kirby is survived by his children: Travis (Clara) Pickett, Richfield; Deina (Mike) Mitton, Terron (Tera) Pickett, Tana (Jesse) Newton, all of Gunnison; 15 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren; sisters: Phyllis Pickett Jensen, Redmond; Nada Ann Pickett Stillman, Riverton. He was also preceded in death by his parents; sister, Norma Pickett Jensen; and two brothers; Merrill Jerry Pickett and Louis Monte Pickett.

Private Family Services will be held Monday, August 3, 2020 at 12:00 Noon, burial will be in the Redmond City Cemetery with military honors. Funeral Service will be live streamed on Magleby Mortuary's website under Kirby's obituary. Check Magleby’s website for updates and further details. Funeral Directors: Magleby Mortuary, Richfield, Salina and Manti. Online guestbook at www.maglebymortuary.com