Paul Glenn Pickens

Paul Glenn Pickens, of Houston, Texas, Passed away at the age of 88 on Thursday, February 10, 2022, after several months under hospice and his daughter, Cindy’s, devoted care. He took his last breath in the comfort of his daughter’s home with her present.

He was born on July 3, 1933 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma to George W. Pickens and Hazel G. Thomas.

The man, the myth, the legend. Some would call Paul, ‘the most interesting man in the world’, to his friends and family, he was a quiet-spoken, proud man who loved to tell jokes and act silly to put a smile on your face— or maybe just his. It wasn’t uncommon to see Paul break out in a little tap dance or perform a magic trick. He always had a ‘Mona Lisa smile’ with a joke ready to be told, a prank to be pulled or a magic trick up his sleeve. Although he did not attend church regularly, he strongly believed in Jesus Christ and his Catholic faith. Paul lived a long life fulfilling many impressive accomplishments and adventures. His incredible talent was an inspiration to all.

Paul enlisted in the Army at just 16 years of age by changing his birth year on his birth certificate to 1932. He served from 1949 to 1952 and again from 1954 to 1957 with a rank of Specialist First Class. During the Army he spent time in Korea, Germany, Mexico, Colorado, South Dakota and Alaska. He was a Boxer in the Army and was ranked 8th in the feather-weight division of amateur boxing. Paul also learned to perform Magic acts to earn extra money while in the military. Although, not fluent, he had a grasp of several languages including German, French, Italian, and Cherokee.

Paul traveled extensively throughout Mexico where he learned to speak Spanish fluently. While on leave from the Army, he met his first wife in Mexico and had his first daughter. After he was honorably discharged from the Army, Paul moved to Corpus Christy, Texas where he attended Barber college. His Barber career lasted over 50 years— retiring at the age of 80.

In 1960 he moved to the Houston area where he met his second wife and stepson and fathered three more children. At this time, Paul was actively hunting, collecting and handling a variety of snakes and traded for other animals including a skunk, a monkey and even an alligator. Paul and his family also had ducks, chickens, hogs and horses and from time-to-time, would nurse injured animals back to health. 

Paul was a master craftsman who created custom saddles, various leather crafts including belts, holsters and merchandise covered in rattlesnake skin, of which he sometimes hunted and skinned himself. He was also a gunsmith who made flintlock and caplock muzzleloader rifles and pistols. He made his first muzzleloader at the age of 12 using scrap-wood he found in his father’s boat shop. His last pistol was made in 2016.

In 1970 Paul joined the Houston Charro Association and received credentials from the National Association of Charreria of Mexico. He was a cowboy who owned and trained horses, performed in the Mexican rodeo and even once rode horses with a friend through the mountains of Mexico into the United States.

Paul was also registered with the Cherokee Nation, as 1/4th Cherokee from his grandmother’s lineage and took great pride in his heritage.

In addition to all of Paul’s incredible talents, he did his best as a father, teaching his children to be strong, independent individuals that could accomplish anything they set their minds to. He was loved and will be missed by many.

He is survived by his children; Georgina P. Noriega, Cynthia L. Heath, Jorge A. Pickens, Carolina P. Musick and her husband Jason; his grandchildren; Georgina A. Pickens, Gamaliel A. Pickens, German A. Pickens, Giselle A. Pickens, Sabrina K. Gonzales, Jacob M. Gonzales, Emily M. Heath, Jacquelin R. Perales, Jasmine Y. Pickens, Adrian P. Goodell, James R. Musick; and great-grandchildren; Ethan A. Flores, Isabelle A. Flores, Aidan A. Orozco, Anneliese R. Gonzalez and Anthony J. Sanchez.  He also leaves behind his beloved dog, Toby and his long-time best friend, Bob Serafine and his wife Carroll.

He was preceded in death by his stepson, Gilbert Silva.

Visitation will begin on Tuesday, February 22, 2022 in the Chapel of Beresford Funeral Service from 5:00 to 9:00 PM.  Father Paul Chovanec from St. Justin Martyr Catholic Community will lead us in reciting the Rosary at 7:30 PM.  Visitation will resume at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, February 23, 2022.  The funeral will begin at 11:00 AM, officiated by Deacon Corney Llorens, also of St. Justin Martyr Catholic Community.

We will then meet for the interment at the Houston National Cemetery (10410 Veterans Memorial Dr, Houston, TX 77038).  Those wishing to attend should line up in lane #1 at 1:15 PM.  The cemetery representative will then lead us to our assigned shelter at precisely 1:30 PM.

Thank you for visiting this memorial web page.   Please sign the online guest book to let the family know you were here thinking of them.