Hugh L. Pickle

Hugh L. Pickle, 83, of Johnson City, passed away Monday, March 7, 2016, at the Life Care Center of Gray after a month long illness. Hugh was a lifelong resident of Johnson City. He was the son of the late Paul and Blanch Pickle. Hugh graduated from Science Hill High School. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1951-1955 in which he spent three years in Germany and one year in Texas. In 1952, he married his wife of 63 years Nancy Jo Beeler. He retired from Raytheon after 36 years of employment. He was a 50-year Mason, Potentate of Jericho Shrine in 1995 and a Shrine Clown for 48 years. He was the No. 1 Clown for 3 years for the USA, Canada, and Mexico. He loved working for Shrine Children and also clowning for other clubs. He played Santa Claus for 40 years for family and friends. Hugh was a member of the Unaka Avenue Baptist Church for 50 years. He also belonged to ?Romeo Club' at Hardees on North Roan Street. He was a University of Tennessee Football season ticket holder for over 40 years and went to all the home games and several bowl games. His favorite things to do were traveling, camping and fishing; spending 6 weeks a year fishing off the pier at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. He tried to enjoy life every day. In addition to his parents, Hugh was preceded in death by three brothers, John, George, and Joe Pickle, and one sister, Nanny Beth Colyer. Survivors include his wife of sixty-three years, Nancy Jo Beeler Pickle; two brothers, Paul Pickle and wife Betty and Fred Pickle; four nephews, Matt Carmichel and wife Kim, Ralph ?Butch' Carmichel and wife Sherry, David Carmichel and wife LuAnne, and Jeff Pickle; one niece, Linda Davis; one half sister, Darlene Jones; and two very special great nieces, Taylor and Bayleigh Carmichel. The family of Hugh L. Pickle will receive friends from 4 to 7 PM Thursday, March 10, 2016, in the Morris-Baker Funeral Home. The funeral service will follow at 7 PM with Pastor Jeff Alford officiating. The Johnson City Lodge No. 486 will provide Masonic rites. The graveside committal service will be conducted at 1 PM Friday, in the Monte Vista Memorial Park. Active pallbearers will be Matt Carmichel, David Carmichel, Ralph Carmichel, Jeff Pickle, John Walton, and Hugh Byrd. Honorary pallbearers will be the Romeo Club. The Boone Dam Post # 4933 will accord military honors. Ministers, family, and friends are requested to meet at the funeral home by 12:30 PM Friday to go in procession to the cemetery. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to the Shriners International Headquarters, 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL 33607.