Paul A. Pickering

Our family's greatest treasure, Paul A. Pickering, (Gampie), 98, passed peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family and faithful puppy, CiCi, on the morning of October 22, 2018. Paul was born in Salt Lake City, UT on January 29, 1920 to George A. and Ethel Loveridge Pickering, along with 6 siblings. On November 19, 1938, he married the love of his life Bette Bonne (nee Secrest-Christenson) and they became residents of Las Vegas, NV in 1955, where they remained until their death. Paul enlisted in the US Navy during the final days of WWII and again in the US Airforce during the Korean War. He spent endless summers at Lake Mead teaching the kids how to water ski, loved the outdoors, and took the greatest pleasure in planning family adventures. He retired from Las Vegas Dodge after many years of service as an auto body mechanic and focused on his lifelong passion for WWII aviation. He built amazing scale aircraft and many are now on display around the valley.

Paul is survived by his adoring sister Dona (John) Graham, his grandchildren Randy (Jacqui) Bird, Brenda (Paul) Bigham, six great grandchildren, and eight great great grandchildren (soon to be nine!)

Eternally the gentleman, he waited for heaven by holding the door for his beloved family to pass before him, wife Betty Bonne , Son Trevor Pickering, and daughter Kim (Ronald) Bird.

Paul was preceded in death by his siblings; Jack (Betty) Pickering, Opal (Eldon) Crooks, Maxine (Frank) Reed, Gene (Helga, Ruth, and Jan) Pickering, George (Geraldine and June) Pickering.

The simple pleasures in life were his favorite, which included his morning honey bun, big band music from the 30s, dancing, and his family.

Services for this very remarkable man are scheduled for Friday, November 30, 2018 at 11:20 am at Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery with a celebration of life afterward.