Thomas E. Pickett went home to be with his Savior the afternoon of April 9, 2014 after a heroic battle with cancer. He was comforted by his loving wife, Charlene, and son Paul and his wife, Paige. Thomas was a truck driver for Merchants Fast Motor Lines and retired in February 1997 after 38 years of service. He continued to stay in close contact with all of his fellow Merchants drivers and looked forward to attending the semi-annual meetings with other retired drivers and their families. Thomas was born in Ogden, Arkansas on December 31, 1936. He and his wife married in 1965 and moved to Irving, Texas in 1966. He was loved, admired, and will be missed by so many, but we rejoice that the struggle is over and he is finally free. Survivors include his wife, Charlene, and son Paul and his wife, Paige; brother, John O. Pickett and his wife, Robin of West Palm Beach, Florida; grandchildren, Dalton, Drew, Haley and Brenna; brothers-in-law, Sonny Ritchie and wife, Judy of Burnet, Texas, and Gerald Ritchie and wife, Sandra of Granbury, Texas; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends. Services will be at 11:00 A.M. on Monday, April 14, at the Oak View Baptist Church in Irving followed by burial at DFW National Cemetery at 2:15 P.M. Viewing will be 6:00-8:00 P.M. on Sunday evening, April 13, at Donnellys Colonial Funeral Home in Irving.