Recent EOD Passings:
Neil Smith:
US Army passed away on 8 March 2023. The cause of death was due to pancreatic cancer.
His ashes will be laid to rest at 2:30 PM, 29 March 2923 at Quantico National Cemetery, 18424 Joplin Road, Triangle, Virginia 22172. Military honors will be presented. Family is very close with information beyond cause and final internment. At this time, this is all the information we have on Neil.
Terry Felton Hawkins:
US Army Retired, age 68, of Hazel Green, Alabama passed away on 11 March 2023.
Terry was born on 10 December 1954.
Terry served 22 years in the Army and then retired from the FBI’s Hazardous Devices School, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama.
He was predeceased by: his wife LTC Mary Virginia Ewing, USA EOD (1965-2011); his parents, Alfred Hawkins and Betty Hawkins; and his brother Bobby Hawkins. He is survived by : his children, Stephanie Fowler (Patrick), Terrence Hawkins (Amy), Brianna Webb (Chris), Asa Hawkins (Angela) and Jessica Tydeman (Benjamin); and his siblings, Roger Hawkins and Cindy Robinson. He is also survived by fourteen grandchildren.
Visitation was held on Thursday, March 16th 2023 from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM at the Berryhill Funeral Home (2305 Memorial Parkway NW, Huntsville, Alabama 35810). A memorial service was held on Thursday, March 16th 2023 at 4:00 PM at the Berryhill Funeral Home & Crematory (2305 Memorial Parkway NW, Huntsville, Alabama 35810).
LTC James “Jim” Picard:
James wasn’t born in Texas, but he got there as fast as he could and was a proud Aggie. His early years were spent forming a life-long marriage with his high school sweetheart and wife, Patty Jo. From riding camels in Egypt, traveling the USA on Harleys, to finding the best camping spots in an oversized RV, they spent a glorious 60 years together; he always said he was born married!
In his adult life, when he wasn’t being a stoic and loving father, he served his country in the Vietnam War as an Army EOD Commander of the 85th Ordnance Detachment (EOD), Pleiku from 1967 to 1968. After 22 years, he retired as a Lieutenant Colonel. James could build and fix anything with his hands and he had a fondness for classic cars. He was a man of Christ and a member of St Therese Church, where he loved to sing and lector with his community. James was an animal lover who served as a rescuer and pack leader to many burros, dogs, and cats.
Jim was a member of the National EOD Association (NATEODA) #1494.
James was preceded in death by his parents, Colice and Lillie Picard. He is survived by his wife Patty Jo and their three children Michele Penland (Tracey), Denise Ketter (David), and David Picard; nine grandchildren, Lauren, Haley (Tyler), Allison, Samantha, Katherine, Marissa, Josef David, Nora, and Josie; and one great-grandchild, Pressley; five siblings, Kathleen, Robert, Patrick, Carolyn and Cynthia.
James is now with his Lord and Savior. He is likely listening to Johnny Cash and sipping on Lone Star. He will be greatly missed and forever loved.
A funeral Mass will be held at St Therese Catholic Church in Clinton on Monday, February 27, 2023, at 10:00 am with visitation at 9:00 am. Inurnment will be at East Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery, Knoxville, Tennessee on Wednesday, March 1, 2023 at 12:30 pm.
Holley Gamble Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.
His Obituary: Obituary | James Picard of Clinton, Tennessee | Holley-Gamble Funeral Home (holleygamble.com)
His Find-A-Grave Profile: James Picard (1941-2023) – Find a Grave Memorial
Our Condolences go out to the family and friends.
We Remember!
