Ronald Owen (R.O.) Pickett caught his last train out of Etowah on Wednesday, March 9, 2022.

Born July 29, 1941 to Owen William and Glynn Jean Pickett.

Preceded in death by his parents Owen and Glynn Pickett; his brother, Darrell Pickett; and his sister, Carol Sawyer.

Ronny was a 1959 graduate of Etowah High School; after graduation, R.O. enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served aboard the USS Lindenwald (LSD-6) and the USS Tallahatchie County (LST-1154). After a brief stint with the Coca-Cola Bottling Company in Charlotte, NC he went on to a 39 year career with the L&N (CSX) Railroad where he was an Engineer on the North-End working from Etowah, TN to Corbin, KY.

R.O. is survived by his three children and their spouses, Johnny and Nova Pickett of Las Vegas, NV, Rhonda and James Whaley of Athens, TN, Sean and Mandy Pickett of Flintstone, GA; grandchildren, Lindsey Reed of Chattanooga, Jessica and Benton Pickett of Flintstone; great-grandchildren, Fletcher and Owen Stephenson of Chattanooga;  he is also survived by his companion of many years, Karen Coffey of Knoxville, TN, plus his longtime Greasy Creek camping buddies and his extended network of friends from Tipton Creek, NC;  additional survivors include his sister-in-law, Margaret Pickett; brother-in-law, Steve Sawyer; niece, Ellen McClary; nephews, Darrin Pickett, and James Sawyer.

Funeral service will be held at 4:00 p.m., Sunday, March 13, 2022 in the chapel of Bordwine Funeral Home. The family will receive friends from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., Sunday prior to the service.

Family and friends will assemble at 10:00 a.m., Monday, March 14 ^th at the funeral home and proceed to Green Hill Cemetery for the 11:00 a.m. committal service with Military Honors.

Pallbearers will be Johnny Pickett, Sean Pickett, James Whaley, Curly Dockery, Ed Shipley, and John Vercher.

Honorary pallbearers will be Charles Sayne, John Vercher, Tony Jenkins, Doug Scott, Steve Adams, and Danny Coleman.

In Lieu of flowers, contributions may be given to the McMinn Regional Humane Society, P.O. Box 7, Athens, TN 37371.