Monte Pickens

Colonel (R) Monte Lee Pickens of Naples Florida passed away on December 7, 2014 after battling pancreatic cancer bravely for three and a half years. He is survived by his loving wife Lana Davis Pickens, his spouse for 48 years. Also surviving are his son Jon Scott Pickens and his wife Robin of Woodland Hills California and his daughter, Hayley Annette Barker and husband Shawn of Estero, Florida. He was the proud grandfather of four grandchildren: McKenzie and Jackson Barker and Audrey and Zachary Pickens. Monte was born in Klamath Falls, Oregon on July 12,1945, the eldest son of the late Harold and Barbara Pickens. He was preceded in death by his brother Shane in 1976. He is survived by sisters Bari Harris of Lewisburg, WV and Shawn Mays of Morgantown, WV. Monte attended West Virginia University and earned his B.S. degree in History in1967 while in the ROTC program. He then entered the United States Army. During his career, he attended Ranger School and the Marine Corps Warfare School. In 1973 he received his M.S. in Administration of Justice at American University. He also attended the FBI National Academy, the Command and General Staff College and, finally the War College. In the military, he first served as an Infantry Officer from 1968-1969, and then branch transferred to serve as a Military Police Corps Officer from 1969-1992. He served at the Pentagon in major staff positions for six years. He also was the primary security planner for the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, Director of Support for Civilian Law Enforcement Agencies, Personnel Assignment Officer for Military Police Corps Officers worldwide, and Director of Family Support during Desert Shield and Desert Storm. During his career, he was the recipient of the Silver Star for his actions in Vietnam, the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star, and other military service commendations . Upon his retirement from the military, he became Director of Human Resources for the Diamond Power Company in Lancaster, Ohio. He then became the VP of Human Resources and Security for the T. Marzetti Company in Columbus, Ohio. Following that position, he was the Chief Operating Officer of The Allied Defense Group in Vienna, Virginia. Finally, he was Senior VP at Cyalume Technologies in West Springfield, MA. Funeral Services will take place on Saturday, January 3, 2015 at 11 a.m. at the Avery Methodist Church, located at 1152 Cheat Rd, Morgantown, WV. Burial will take place at the Mt Zion Cemetery with Military honors. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society for the research of pancreatic cancer.