Donald L. Pickrel

DONALD LEROY PICKREL

How do you tell a story that took 88 years to complete, in a few paragraphs? Answer, you don’t. Here is our shot at giving you a glimpse.

Don was born in on the 3200 block of South Grant Street, in Englewood, on September 22, 1927. He was the 4th youngest of 7 children born to Roy and Erma Pickrel.

He grew up in a family of bricklayers. His Grandfather, two of his uncles, two of his brothers and even one of his cousins, Jim Vanderpool, were all Bricklayers. Between the lot of them, they played a significant role in building early Denver. Don told stories that out of the bunch of them, none of them could keep up with his Grandfather, George Zechariah Pickrel.

In October of 1945, Willa was 15 years old and was having an argument with her older sister Marlys. She told Willa that “nobody will go to that dance with you”. So, just to spite her sister, Willa agreed to accept an invitation to a blind date with Donald Pickrel, who was 17 years old. And the courting began.

However, the end of World War II interrupted that courting when in December of 1945, Don became part of the Occupation Army in Europe. Then, in May of 1947, Don was Honorably Discharged. He returned home to Willa and the courting began again. Wasting no time after Willa’s High School

Graduation, they married on October 4th, 1947.

Married life began with Willa working as Secretary for Specialty Builders, Don’s dad’s business. Don began his apprenticeship laying brick for his father. The newlyweds lived in a two room apartment at Belleview and Broadway, sharing a bathroom with another tenant. The household began to grow on July 23rd, 1948, with the birth of their daughter, Dona Eileen. The expansion program continued when three years later, on May 1st, 1951, Marshall Craig arrived. Expansion was completed then on March 3rd, 1955 with the birth of a second son, Bradley James.

Part of Don’s Legacy was his ability to learn, change and adapt. In the early 1960’s Don broke the mold of bricklaying by becoming a General Contractor. While bricklaying, he would study the other trades on the job, ask questions and observe. He mastered learning the whole building process this way, and began Pickrel Construction. As his Grandfather and father had done, so he did in teaching what he had learned to his son’s. So the tradition of building lived on.

In the 1970’s his legacy entered another era of change. He had taught well Dona, his daughter, what a good man looked like. She found one, a hero in his own right, Tom Rybolt. Continuing to follow Don’s example the boys found wonderful wives too. Craig found Jacki, and Brad found Sue. Further testimony to Don, both Jacki and Sue loved him dearly. In 1973, prompted by Willa, he adapted again. They picked up lock, stock and barrel and moved to Buena Vista Colorado. Dona stayed in Denver and Craig and Brad followed to Buena Vista. Don reformed Pickrel Construction and began anew, working with his two sons. The mountain experience lasted until 1983.

Once again learning, adapting and changing set up the final era. Everyone moved back to Denver. During this time two major events set up Don’s final legacy run. First, he came to know Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior, and second, the era of grandchildren and great grandchildren began. Those two events changed Don one more time, into a strong, kind and gentle man of God. He sowed into his prodigy for many years. It is how he finished strong. Oh, and he also finished with nine grandchildren 21 great grandchildren. The building of a family, led by a strong Godly man and his strong Godly wife, is today his legacy.

ORDER OF EVENTS FOR SERVICES FOR DONALD L PICKREL

VISITATION: Thursday May 12, 2016 4pm‐7pm. 6601 S. Colorado Blvd., Centennial, CO 80121

CELEBRATION SERVICE: Friday May 13, 12pm (Noon). The Rock Church at 4881 Cherokee Dr., Castle Rock, CO 80109

INTERMENT: Immediately following Celebration Service at Chapel Hill Cemetery. 6601 S. Colorado Blvd., Centennial, CO 80121. All are invited.

RECEPTION: Immediately following Celebration Service for those not attending Interment. Immediately following interment for those attending graveside service. Pickrel’s Home at 7992 Chaparral Rd., Lone Tree, CO 80124