Ed Pickering

Ed Pickering passed away September 21, 2017 at his home. He was 77 years old. Ed was born on December 25, 1939 in Denver, CO to Frank and Millie (McQueary) Pickering. He grew up in Kremmling, CO and graduated from high school there. He obtained his Bachelors Degree in Animal Science from Colorado State University in 1965, putting himself through school by rodeoing, winning the All Around Cowboy four times and the regional championship in bulldogging, calf roping and ribbon roping.In April of 1965 he married Mary Ann Samchuck from Freedom, Pennsylvania, and they were together for 52 years before his death. Together they moved from Fort Collins, CO to Longmont in 1965, and on to their farm in Hygiene, CO in 1967 where they continued to reside.Ed began working for Coors in the company's cattle feedlot outside of Longmont. He then went to work for himself running cattle across the southwest, starting at his grandfather's ranch in Grand County Colorado, and later in Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas and most recently, with his son Eric, at their ranch in Red Rock, AZ.He was a lifetime member, and gold card holder, of the Pro Rodeo Cowboy Association. He bulldogged and roped. Later in life, he thoroughly enjoyed following the rodeo results and visit-ing with friends about all the good times rodeoing.He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Millie, and two sisters: Jean Deter, and an infant sister, Stella.Ed is survived by his wife Mary Ann; his daughter Natalie (husband Michael) Zahradnik; his son Eric (wife Leissa) Pickering; his sister Joy Raley; and his grandchildren Monte Pickering, Grady Pickering, Sonia Zahradnik and Mandel Zahradnik.A memorial service will be held at the West Grand High School in Kremmling, CO on Saturday, October 7th at 11:00 AM. Memorial contributions can be made to the Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund www.justincowboycrisisfund.org or the Middle Park 4-H Scholarship Fund C/O Grand County Extension Office PO Box 475 Kremmling, CO 80459. Cremation entrusted to Ahlberg Funeral Chapel and Crematory. Visit www.ahlbergfuneralchapel.com to share condolences.