Kenneth Joe Pickard

Kenneth Joe Pickard, 78, of West Lafayette, passed away peacefully at 6:45 AM Sunday, October 9, 2011 at his residence.
He was born April 15, 1933, in Frankfort, to the late O. Kenneth and Marie Pitzer Pickard.
He served in the United States Army for two years with thirteen months of that time in Germany.
He graduated from Frankfort High School in 1951, Ball State University in 1955 with degrees in English and Physical Education. He then received his Masters Degree in Educational Administration and a sixth year certificate from Purdue University.
On March 31, 1956 he married Berta Irwin in First Presbyterian Church of Frankfort.
Joe began his teaching career at Shadeland School in the fall of 1957, moved to Southwestern High School as head football coach in the fall of 1960. In 1963 he became Athletic Director and in 1967 Assistant Principal, Principal in 1971 and then was named Principal of the new McCutcheon High School in 1974. In 1979 he returned to Southwestern Middle School as an English teacher and remained there until retiring in 1988.
In 1993, the Tippecanoe School Board dedicated and named the McCutcheon Media Center in his honor.
He was a member of Bethany Presbyterian Church were he served as a deacon and an elder. He was a member of Lafayette Kiwanis, American Legion, the Elks, National Council of Teachers of English, Friends of the Library, Ball State University Alumnae Association, Cardinal Varsity Club, Sigma Tau Gamma Fraternity, Phi Delta Kappa, St. ELizabeth Hospital Auxiliary and several Lupus support groups. He was a former member of National Association of Secondary School Principals. After retiring, he volunteered at the Lafayette Visitors and Convention Center, Tippecanoe Library, and had over 4000 volunteer hours as a Red Coat at St. Elizabeth Hospital. He enjoyed spending time with his family,especially his grandchildren?s sporting events, reading, and all McCutcheon, Southwestern and Purdue University athletics.
Surviving along with his wife are a daughter Marta P. Gabor (husband George) of Zionsville, a son
Andrew Pickard (wife Tara) of Short Hills, NJ and a sister Greta Burns of Watseka, IL.
Also surviving are 7 grandchildren; Gretchen, Allie, and Paul Gabor of Zionsville and Hallie, Jake, Drew and Luke Pickard of Short Hills, NJ and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Visitation will be from 4 to 8 pm Friday October 14, 2011 at Soller-Baker Lafayette Chapel 400 Twyckenham Blvd Lafayette, IN 47909 with a memorial service at 10:00 am Saturday October 15, 2011 at Bethany Presbyterian Church 3305 Longlois Dr. Lafayette, IN 47904 with Rev. Kevin Bowers officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Joe Pickard Scholastic/Athletic Scholarship Fund. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home, or can be sent to McCutcheon High School, Attn: Pickard Memorial, at 4951 US 231 South, Lafayette, IN 47909