Richard M. Pickler Obituary

Garnand Funeral Home

Richard M. “Dick” Pickler, age 92, of Ulysses, Kansas, died Monday, August 24, 2020, at Kearny County Hospital in Lakin, Kansas.  He was born October 14, 1927, in Beloit, Kansas, the son of Dr. Richard S. and Clara (Horneman) Pickler. 

Richard graduated Beloit High School in 1945.  He continued his education at University of Kansas and graduated in June 1951 with a Bachelor’s Degree in History.  Richard married Mary Lou Redmond on May 10, 1952, in Ottawa, Kansas, and they spent 68 wonderful years together.  Richard was then drafted in to the United States Army and served in the Korean Conflict.  After an Honorable Discharge, he returned to University of Kansas and earned a Law Degree in 1955.  Richard worked as a Law Clerk at the State House for Judge Parker for five years.  In 1960, they moved to Ulysses and he started a private law practice in general law and retired from active practice in 2018.  Richard was licensed in 1972 to argue cases in the U.S. Supreme Court.  He was a member of the Kansas Bar Association, Southwest Kansas Bar Association, and was the Grant County Attorney from 1962 – 1970, the Ulysses City Attorney for ten years, and Grant County Bank Attorney for 58 years.  Richard was a member of Phi Kappa Alpha Fraternity at the University of Kansas, Ulysses Rotary Club, Grant County Chamber of Commerce, Dexter D. Harbour American Legion Post #79, and had served on the Western Prairie Care Home Board of Directors for many years.  He had also volunteered as a 4-H club leader and was active with the Little League Baseball program.  He loved listening to all genres of music and loved to read.  Richard was the Grant County Citizen of the year in 2004.

Richard is survived by his daughters, Susan Alexander of Ulysses, Kansas, and Nancy Jones and husband Steve of Sapulpa, Oklahoma; son, Mike Pickler and wife Leslie of Manhattan, Kansas; six grandchildren, Jeremy Alexander and wife Theresa, Jan Lee and husband Brandon, Kim Arnes and husband Jason, Brad Jones and wife Shawnda, Cole Rightmeier and girlfriend Whitney, Grace Loveday and husband Chris, and 11 great-grandchildren. 

Richard is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Mary Lou on July 30, 2020; infant son; and grandson, Brian Alexander. 

Funeral service will be held on Saturday, August 29, 2020, at 10:00 AM at the First United Methodist Church in Ulysses, Kansas, with Reverend Todd Guinn officiating. Services may also be viewed on Garnand Funeral Home Facebook Live.  Interment will follow at the Ulysses Cemetery in Ulysses, Kansas, with military rites conducted by Dexter D. Harbour American Legion Post #79.  Visitation will be Friday, August 28, 2020, from 2:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Garnand Funeral Home in Ulysses, Kansas.  Memorial contributions may be given to the Grant County Community Foundation or Dexter D. Harbour American Legion Post #79 in care of Garnand Funeral Home, 405 W. Grant Ave., Ulysses, Kansas 67880. Condolences may be posted at www.garnandfuneralhomes.com.