Larry Pickett

Lawrence "Larry" Mills Pickett died on Wednesday, November 30, 2022 from complications of Alzheimer's disease. Larry was born to Cecil and Helen Pickett on March 9, 1942 in Gallup, New Mexico. He was the oldest of four siblings including brother John, sister Linda Pummell (deceased), and brother Jim. After returning from World War II, Cecil Pickett worked with the New Mexico State University Extension Service on assignment in Paraguay. Larry attended the local school and became fluent in Spanish. Throughout his life, he enjoyed speaking Spanish with people he met. The family relocated to Las Cruces and lived on the family farm where Cecil did the farming and Helen was a teacher. Larry came up through the public school system and graduated from Las Cruces High School in 1960. During his high school career, he was a representative to the New Mexico Boys' State and an All-State football and basketball player. Larry was a member of the 1959 and 1960 basketball teams that won the state championship under Coach Lou Henson. Upon graduation Larry enrolled at the University of New Mexico on a football scholarship. Larry was co-captain of the UNM freshmen team and a varsity letter winner. Larry was a member of the UNM football team that went to the Aviation Bowl in 1961. This UNM team was the first in school history to go to a bowl game. In 1961 Larry married Jacqueline "Jackie" Goss in Las Cruces, NM and soon afterward gave birth to a son, Lawrence Doug Pickett. After receiving a bachelor's degree in Political Science from UNM, Larry enrolled at the University of Oklahoma School of Law. Once he received his Juris Doctor degree, the family then returned to New Mexico so Larry could start his legal career. In December of 1969 the family welcomed another son, Mark Lee Pickett. In 1971, Larry accepted a position as an Assistant District Attorney under District Attorney Earnest Williams, Jr., and the family returned to Las Cruces. In 1973, Larry entered private practice. Larry's legal career spanned 50 years. Larry had a successful civil practice and took great pride in representing the citizens of Las Cruces. He enjoyed going to trial and had a flair for the dramatic. During his long career, he developed professional partnerships with several local attorneys. In the early 1970's, he made the wise decision to hire Martha Jackson to work in his office. She supported his professional efforts until his retirement in 2019. He made another wise decision to marry Martha in 1997. In 1999, his son Mark joined his practice and in August 2006, Larry and Mark became partners, forming The Pickett Law Firm. During his time in Las Cruces, Larry was a great supporter of local high school athletics and delighted in attending the games of his son Doug and stepsons HB and Ryan. He was a founding member of Sertoma, served as a mock trial coach, coached youth football, and spent 10 years as a vestry member and Senior Warden at St. James Episcopal Church. He loved playing golf, going to concerts, and basically doing anything resembling a good time. Larry loved spending time with his wife in Hawaii or in Las Vegas with his family. He never missed the opportunity to cheer on his beloved Oklahoma Sooners. Most of all, he loved practicing law with his son Mark and longtime partner and wife Martha. Larry had a great sense of humor and loved to hear and tell a funny story. He was a good friend to those lucky enough to be his friend; he gave hugs like a polar bear; but most of all, he was a tremendous father. He will be sorely missed by those who knew him. Larry is survived by his wife of 25 years Martha Pickett, sons Doug Pickett (wife Amy Rankin) and Mark Pickett (wife Valerie Pickett), stepsons HB Garcia (wife Jamie Garcia) and Ryan Garcia, brothers John Pickett (wife Susan Pickett) and Jim Pickett (wife Michelle Pickett), numerous nieces and nephews, and former wife Debbie Ramsey. Larry is preceded in death by his parents Cecil and Helen, his beloved sister Linda, and his first wife Jackie Goss Guaderrama. Larry's family would like to thank Bonnie Zeiler and the wonderful staff at The Village at Northrise Memory Care for taking such good care of him. We would also like to thank the hospice nurses from Gentiva who were gracious and caring to our family in Larry's final days. A memorial service will be held at the Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum on January 14, 2023 at 4:00 p.m. All are welcome to attend. Friends may send condolences to Martha Pickett at martha@picklawllc.com. In lieu of flowers donations may be made the local Alzheimer's Association at 141 Roadrunner Parkway, Suite 133, Las Cruces, NM 88011.