Wayne Thurmond Pickard

Wayne Pickard

Augusta, GA - Wayne Thurmond Pickard, 80, entered into his heavenly home on November 26, 2017 after an 12-year valiant battle with dementia. He was born on Valentine's Day, 1937 to Homer Troup Pickard and Ida Lee Pickard.

He grew up in North Augusta, SC and Millen, GA, and was a graduate of Jenkins County High School, where he was a member of the baseball team. He was a 1959 graduate of The University of Georgia Pharmacy School where he was a member of the American Pharmaceutical Association and Kappa Psi Fraternity. He was also a member of the UGA chapter of ROTC. After graduation, he married the love of his life, Brenda Jean Croft and joined the US Army Corp of Combat Engineers and served during the Berlin Crisis and Korean Conflict stationed in San Antonio, TX at Fort Sam Houston Hospital and at Fort Benning, GA, utilizing his pharmacy degree on base. He also served in the National Guard.

After his military tenure, Wayne and his young family moved to Thomson, GA in 1966 where he began his career as co-owner of Twilley Pharmacy and owner of Pickard Pharmacy in Thomson, GA. Wayne was a member of West Acres Baptist Church, Evans, GA and also a member of Gideon's International, Evans, GA chapter. He was a past member of First Baptist Church and Sweetwater Baptist Church, Thomson, GA, having served many roles including deacon, Chairman of deacons, Sunday school teacher, training union director and Royal Ambassador leader. Wayne was a member of Thomson Rotary Club for many years. He was also a founding member of Belle Meade Country Club and was one of the original families involved in the formation of Briarwood Academy. Wayne enjoyed fishing with friends and spending time with his family.

Survivors include his loving wife of 57 years, Brenda Croft Pickard, Augusta, GA, one son, Daryl Pickard (Susan) Thomson, GA; two daughters, Debbie Hammond (Scott) Martinez, GA and Karen Pinkston (Paul) Amarillo, TX; grandchildren Clay Hammond (Katie), Ashley Lunceford (Patrick), Josh Pinkston (Dancee), Lindsey Pinkston and Brooklyn Pinkston. Great grandchildren include Zayne Hammond, William Lunceford, Georgia Grace Lunceford and Landree Pinkston. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a grandson, Wes Hammond.

Pallbearers include Clay Hammond, Patrick Lunceford, Keith Ellison, Mike Newsome, Sid Curry, Brett Jenkins, Bryan Jenkins, and Bradley Jenkins. Honorary Pallbearers include Bobby Burnley, Charles Cato, Robert L. Gibson, III, Roy Russell and Lamar McKinney.

Services will be held on Thursday, November 30 at 11 AM in the chapel of Thomas Poteet & Son. Burial with military honors will be at Westover Memorial Park, 2601 Wheeler Rd, Augusta, GA immediately following the service.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 3923 Washington Rd, Augusta, GA 30907, Gideon’s International, 3923 Washington Rd, Augusta, GA 30907.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday evening, November 29 from 6-8 at at Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, 214 Davis Rd., Augusta, GA 30907 (706) 364-8484. Please sign the guestbook at www.thomaspoteet.com