Edward Zale Pickens

Edward Pickens passed away unexpectedly at the age of 77 on August 9, 2016. He was born in Oakland, CA to Charles and Lois Pickens. Ed attended San Leandro High School and San Jose State University with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering. Following college, Ed attended the Naval Officers Candidate School, Newport, R.I., and received a commission as an Ensign in the U.S. Navy. He spent his active duty years at the NAS, Pt. Mugu, CA where he met Ensign Marilu Ransom who subsequently became his wife. Following his release from the Navy, Ed worked 32 years as a civilian engineer and manager for the U. S. Government located at Lockheed in Sunnyvale, CA. During this time Ed and Marilu and children, Robyn and Chuck, lived in Cupertino, CA. In 1999 Ed and Marilu moved from their home in Cupertino, CA to Elk Grove, CA to be close to their immediate family. Ed was known as a sincere and loving family man. Ed is survived by his wife of almost 50 years, Marilu Pickens. Also, survived by daughter, Robyn Strong (Brad Strong) and son, Charles Pickens; grandchildren Katherine Strong, Christine Strong; brother Bill Pickens; sister-in-law Gwen Pickens; nieces and nephews Sue Hoppes, Richard Pickens, Nancy Barton, Bill Hoppes (Tanya). Ed became a Master Mason in 1967, and after leaving the SF Bay area and moving to Sacramento he became a member of Capital City Lodge #499. He is also a member of the Scottish Rite and the Ben Ali Shrine in Sacramento. As part of the Shrine and the Cibara Motor Corps Unit, Ed loved driving go carts in parades. A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, August 20, 2016, 2:00 p.m. at Point Pleasant United Methodist Church, Elk Grove, CA. A private burial ceremony will be held at a later date at the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery, Dixon. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Shriners Hospital for Children, 2425 Stockton Blvd., Sacramento, CA, 95817.