A precious soul went to heaven on Sunday, January 24, 2016.  Jon Ivan Pickens was born on Oct. 18, 1936 in Roseburg, OR to Ivan and Edith Pickens. He graduated from Roseburg High in 1954, received a chem engineering degree from Oregon State, then a masters in business from Purdue after serving in the army.

Jon married Marlene E. Thomas on Dec. 13, 1964 and had just celebrated their 51st anniversary. They had one daughter and three sons: Sharon and Jeff Paschall of Roseburg; Brad and Susanne Pickens of Eugene; Greg and Jeanne Pickens of Klamath Falls; and David and Kristi Pickens of Roseburg.  Ten  grandchildren:  Joshua, Jordan, Andrew, Allison, Benjamin, Beauregard Paschall; Carter and Ginny Pickens; and Logan and Ruby Pickens ; and two great grandchildren, Kaelyn and Scarlett Paschall.  Jon was an only child, but has two sister-in laws Jo Strader and Bill, recently deceased, and Rayma and Bill Howard, and a deceased brother-in-law Richard and Sandra Thomas, and many nieces and nephews.  His children know him as a wonderful, trustworthy father, an amazing provider, and a man of deep faith and integrity who had a heart flowing with a wellspring of wisdom.  In times of crisis he offered a strong foundation of counsel and welcoming, loving arms. He just always seemed to know what to do.  His dry, witty sense of humor often lightened the moment.  His friends know him as generous, caring and a guy you could count on.

He lived a dynamic life of traveling around the world on business adventures.   He worked many years at Forrest Industries in Dillard, Or., building his first particleboard plant in White City, Or.  Later with Permeneer as the Corporate Vice President and Assistant General Manager he managed seven plants in the southern division ranging from Brownsville, Or. to Hope, Ark.  He and Ron Frashour were a dynamic duo and started their own consulting business, Fiber Processes Inc., in 1970.  They were instrumental in the beginnings of particleboard in the wood industry. They built plants in Lewiston and Coeur d'alene/Post Falls, ID, Martell/Sutter Creek, CA, Brisbane, Australia, and Bintulu, Malaysia.  His family accompanied him on all these adventures and were blessed to make lifelong friends, especially in Australia and Malaysia.

Jon was an avid jazz music collector, biography reader and loved to fly fish on the North Umpqua, especially at his little cabin in the woods.  Jon served on the boards for Youth for Christ and the Republican Central Committee as Treasurer and was happy to support many local charities and ministries over the years.  Jon and Marlene enjoyed their family of North Roseburg Evangelical Free Church and most recently, Roseburg Alliance.  He placed his trust in Jesus as his Lord and Savior and the Lord has never disappointed...taking them through storms and triumphs with a peace in all their hearts even in these last days of Jon's life.  We will miss our Jon...a respected man who lived justly, loved mercy and walked humbly with his God.

Please join us for a celebration of Jon's life Sat., Feb. 27, 11am, at Roseburg Alliance Church, 2165 Garden Valley Road.  Memorial contributions may be made to Youth for Christ, Roseburg, OR.

To View his online memorial visit please see: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6g1PQMl7IQ