Jack L. Pickens was laid to rest in a private graveside ceremony in southeastern Wisconsin on Wednesday, April 13, 2022. Services were graced by Father Oriol of Saint Patrick’s Catholic Church and lovingly attended by those closest to him.
Jack was proud of the military service within his family lineage. He often spoke of his great-great grandfather Colonel William Howell. Assigned to Union Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant at the battle of Trevilian Station in Virginia, Col. Howell died of his wounds in 1864, while safeguarding America’s freedom. Jack’s father also defended our country as a flyer in WWII in his Curtiss P-40 Warhawk. Although his plane was shot down over the Himalayan Mountains, he survived and came home to his loving wife Ella, Jack’s mom, where he spent the rest of his days in Hannibal, Missouri and Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.
Jack’s own military service, though not formal, was genuine, steadfast, committed and was indeed true service. His unique and creative approach to continuing America’s great history of fighting for truth, justice and freedom was sincere. Jack’s Paul Revere style of messaging, “Wisconsin helping the Russians against the United States,” and the dangers of communism, may only be understood in future times.
People wondered, “Why all the Corvette convertibles?” Jack believed the manufacturing of the Chevy Corvette represented the culmination of things admirable within our American culture. He believed being able to share his sophisticated message, along with the inspired design of his car, would encourage people to pause, listen and think. His Corvettes were his “Paul Revere’s horse,” and he chose to share his inspired political message with class and style. Sadly, Jack was much misunderstood and maligned by the behavior of some spiteful people who feared what they didn’t understand.
“Why the Chicago Bears?” Their location to Wisconsin and the fact that they played against the Packers twice every football season was significant. American football is the most popular spectator sport in the United States; what better avenue to share his political message with the multitude than by using the football platform?
“Footprints in the Sand.” The poem depicts a man walking along the beach with our Lord and then looking back, trying to understand the footprints left behind. We all decide what kind of footprints we want to leave behind with our lives; the subtle synchronicities of life are not always observed by the souls who walk this earth. Undeniably, the path Jack decided to walk was different and unique, but it is without question a life full of dedication, honor and steadfast belief in always doing good deeds with positive energy in service to the Lord.
In lieu of flowers, and in honor of Jack’s life and legacy, please consider a donation to Jack’s Go-Fund Me account for his loved ones left behind. https://www.gofundme.com/f/in-memory-of-rambo-jack-pickens
Jack’s final message, indeed his message all along, was “God bless America and God bless you.”
