Charles John Pickens

Charles Johnson Pickens, Choctaw, passed away March 29, 2012 in Norman. Charles was born November 23, 1946, in Concho, Charles J. and Minerva (Gibson) Pickens. He grew up in Blanchard and South Oklahoma City. Charles worked for Climatemasters in Oklahoma City for several years. He attended university in Haskell for four years and graduated from there. While attending Haskell, he was playing football for school. On June 18, 1968, Charles joined the US Army. While in Vietnam, he fought in a hot zone and was missing for about two months. He has received the Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Combat Infantry Badge, the Infantry Badge, the Galanterie Cross with Palm, the medal of good conduct and expert rifle. He was honorably discharged on August 14, 1978, with the rank of Staff Sergeant. Charles was active with veterans and he loved movies, pow wows and all sports, especially football.