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Fred Pickett, 65

Fred Pickett, 65, of Rock Springs, Wyo., 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, Wyo., 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, Wyo. 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, Wyo. He loved mountain biking, cross-country skiing and floating through Seedskadee. He enjoyed gardening and birdwatching. 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, Wyo.; 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, Wyo.; 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 will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2019, in Rock Springs at the Bike and Trike and, a celebration of life will be held on Aug. 21, 2019, at the home of Kim Wilbert and Wendy Barteaux home in Riverton. 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 N. Lakeview Drive, Hayden Lake, ID 83835.