Fred Pickett, 65, of Rock Springs, died
suddenly on Monday, Jan. 21, 2019, at the
Huntsman Cancer Institute in Salt Lake City,
Utah.
He was born on Feb. 26, 1953, in Riverton,
to Thomas J. and Minnie Eleanor Pickett.
He graduated in 1971 from Riverton High
School and graduated from the University of
Wyoming in 1977 with a degree in broadcasting.
He began his professional career at
KTNW in Thermopolis and then moved to
Rock Springs to be a production manager at
Sweetwater Cable TV. He freelanced in production
until his retirement.
Fred was a true Renaissance man. He was
an accomplished woodworker. He was recognized
for his hand-made split-cane bamboo fly rods as part of the 2014 Art of the Hunt
Exhibition at the Wyoming State Museum. And, in 2015, he had a one-man show at the
Community Fine Arts Center, in Rock Springs, featuring his handcrafted boats and fine wood
crafted projects. He was an avid reader and a strong supporter of libraries. He became an innovative
chef and baker. He loved visiting and talking with people including coffee groups in
Rock Springs and Green River. He loved mountain biking, cross-country skiing and floating
through Seedskadee. He enjoyed gardening and bird-watching. He traveled extensively and
cycling in Ireland was a passion.
Fred met his future wife, Paula Wonnacott, in 1984, when she began her professional
broadcasting career at Sweetwater Cable. Fred and Paula were finally married on Aug. 21,
2017, in Riverton at the home of Kim Wilbert and Wendy Barteaux during the Solar Eclipse.
He is survived by his wife Paula, of Rock Springs, his sister Maritom Pickett, of Hayden
Lake, Idaho, his brother Tom Pickett, of Argentina, a nephew Karl Pickett, of Naperville,
Ill., a niece Elly Henning, of Gillette, and sister in-law Tula Patterson and her husband Max,
of Spokane, Wash.
He was preceded in death by his father, Thomas J. Pickett, his mother Minnie Eleanor,
and his brother T. Bob Pickett.
A Celebration of Life was conducted in Rock Springs at the Bike and Trike on Jan. 29,
from 6 to 8 p.m. And, a Celebration of Life is scheduled in Riverton on Aug. 21, at Kim
Wilbert’s and Wendy Barteaux’s home. The details will follow.
The family respectfully requests that donations in Fred’s memory be made to a charity of
your choice.
Condolences may be left at www.vasefuneralhomes.com and cards may be sent to Paula
Wonnacott at 10751 North Lakeview Drive, Hayden Lake, Idaho, 83835.