Edward Franklin Pickett, 79, of Port Isable, TX (formally of Lawson, MO) died August 31, 2020 of lung cancer. Although he lost his battle with cancer, he died peacefully in the home, surrounded by loved ones Edward was born November 28, 1940 in Junction City, KS, the son of James M. Pickett and Mae Alice (Folck) Martin. He was the youngest of 11 children and the last member of his family to pass on. Edward served in the United States Army and was stationed in Korea before being honorably discharged out of Fort Carson, CO on January 31, 1964. Edward married Carol Louise (Reuscher) Pickett on October 28, 1961 and together raised 5 children in Lawson, Mo. Edward was a loving and devoted husband and father. They were married for 42 years until her death in 2003. Edward obtained his GED and went on to become a journeyman lineman for Kansas City Power & Light Company, working for over 30 years before retiring from KCP&L, then went on to work 16 more years as a journeyman lineman with Ameren UE. He retired from Ameren in 2002 and went on to fulfill his bucket list, riding his bike on the Katy Trail, canoeing the Missouri river, jumping out of an airplane to name a few, and his favorite, traveling the world. Ed made his way through every county in Missouri, every State in the United States and every continent in the world. After his wife's death in 2003, Edward decided to head somewhere warm for the winter and ended up in South Padre Island, TX and made the island and local city, Port Isabel, his home for the winters. During one of his winter stays he met Gayle Smith of Ontario, Canada. They divided their time between Texas in the winter and summers near the Trenton Severn Waterway in Ontario, Canada, Edward and Gayle traveled together on many adventures including Cabo San Lucas and zip lining in Costa Rica. They were together for 13 years until his death. He was a proud member of local IBEW Unions and participated in several Lineman rodeo events during his career. He was a member of the Lawson United Methodist Church. After retirement and traveling, he did not belong to one particular denomination, but was deeply spiritual and knew that he would be going to heaven to be reunited with his loved ones that had passed before him. In addition to his parents and siblings, Edward was proceeded in death by one son; James Edward Pickett (1980) one daughter; Melissa Juanita Mae Pickett, (1981) his wife Carol Pickett (2003) Surviving children are his son, Steve Pickett & wife LeeAnn; daughter Elonna Milburn & husband Dewayne; daughter Kim Faulkner & husband Doug. He leaves behind 16 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren. Cremation under the direction of Hidden Valley Funeral Home, Lawson, MO. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date with a burial service at the Lawson Cemetery where he will be placed between his wife Carol and his daughter Melissa.