Donald Eugene Pickens

Donald Eugene “Gene” Pickens passed away peacefully on Friday, March 31, 2017, at the age of 95.

The son of William Wesley and Grace (Elliott) Pickens, he was born March 6, 1922.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, William, Jr. and Charles Pickens; sister, Anna Lou (Pickens) DeWitt and one daughter, Diane Jean (Pickens) Burns.

Gene is survived by two sons, Devon Pickens and wife, Gayle of Unio0nville, MO and granddaughter,, Whitney (Pickens) Couture and husband, Ryan of Shawnee, KS and Dan Pickens of Overland Park, KS and grandsons, Nate and Grant Pickens; two daughters, Debra (Pickens) DiBlasi and husband, Mark Shapiro of Lisbon Portugal and Dena Pickens of Kansas City, MO and grandsons, Kyle and Kaleb Burns of daughter, Diane.

Gene served in the United States Air Force in World War II and flew 31 missions. After the war he married and started a family and settled in Adair County, MO where he started in agriculture. In 1961 he purchased a large farm and moved his family to Unionville, MO where he farmed and ranched for many years. In later years, he sold the farm and moved to Kirksville.

The family would like to give thanks to all the staff that cared for him and a special thanks to his niece, Cheryl (DeWitt) Behrman for her love and support she gave her uncle.

Memorial service will be held 2:00 P. M. Saturday Apri1 15, 2017 at the Davis_Playle-Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Maple Hills Cemtery.

Memorials have been suggested to The Wounded Warrior Project and can be left at or sent to the funeral home.