Pensacola Pediatrician, James Conlee Pickens, M.D., died on Saturday, February 16, 2013, at West Florida Hospital. He is preceded in death by his father, Malcolm J. Pickens; and his mother, Hester Conlee Pickens. Conlee was born April 17th, 1937, in Decatur, Alabama. His family moved to New Orleans and Norco, Louisiana and returned to Decatur in 1953. He was graduated from Decatur High School in 1955, and Howard College, now Samford University, in 1958, with a B.S. Degree. Conlee was graduated from the University of Alabama Medical School in 1962, and completed internship as Chief Resident of Pediatrics at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. He served in the U.S. Naval Reserve during the Vietnam Conflict and was on active duty at the U.S. Naval Hospital in Key West, Florida from 1965, to 1967.
Dr. Pickens began his pediatric practice in 1967, at the Medical Center Clinic, Pensacola, Florida, where he practiced faithfully for almost 40 years. In the latter years his declining health limited his practice to behavioral pediatrics and in 2008, he retired. He loved all aspects of general pediatrics and continued his special love of behavioral pediatrics on a limited basis with the Florida Department of Children Services. He worked a great deal with children with Attention Deficit Disorder. He served on the staff of Escambia General Hospital, Baptist Hospital, Sacred Heart Hospital, and West Florida Hospital during his practice. He also served as an adjunct Professor at Pensacola Christian College.
Conlee and his family became very active in First Baptist Church of Pensacola when they first arrived. In addition to regular attendance, he taught adult Sunday School and other Bible classes. He particularly loved the study of the Old Testament and was quite a Biblical scholar. He enjoyed Christian music, hymns, and especially The Halleluiah Chorus from Handel’s Messiah and Widor’s Organ Toccata from the Fifth Organ Symphony in F, Op 42 #1 .
He was an avid golfer through 1978, at Pensacola Country Club but became an even more avid bass fisherman. He was a member of the Pensacola Bass Club for many years and later his membership included the Five Flags Bass Club. He enjoyed fishing with his wife Pat, his son Colonel Patton Keith Pickens, and just about anyone that could hold a rod and spin a reel. Conlee and his dear friend, John Register enjoyed two great fishing days the week prior to his hospitalization.
His reading included a variety of subjects, but he was especially fond of World War II history. He followed local, state, and national politics and was an ardent Alabama football fan having been born in Alabama and his two children attending the University.
He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Patricia Pettey Pickens; a daughter, Elizabeth Dean Pickens; a son, Colonel Patton Keith Pickens and his wife Paula; and two grandchildren. His sister, Maxie Dean Pickens Carwile, and her husband, Billie Dean Carwile, of Decatur, Alabama also survive him.
Conlee became a Christian at a young age and was familiar with the ways of Christ not only because of his own faith but also that of his parents. His father was called by the Lord to Preach the Gospel and his mother was Dietician for the New Orleans Baptist Seminary. Throughout his life he led by example and was a witness to all through his actions and deeds. “His Lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord” Matthew 25:21.
Pallbearers are, George Forsberg, Darryl White, Al Smith, Jim Prim, Larry Bullock, and Ronnie Bridges. Honorary Pallbearers are, John Register, Eugene Langston, Don James, Bill Ranson, Tom Fife, James Iv, Bill McArthur, Gerald McArthur, Lamar Cobb, and Bill Farinas.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Samaritan Hands Ministry of First Baptist Church of Pensacola, 500 North Palafox Street, Pensacola, FL 32501.
The family will receive friends in Pleitz Chapel at First Baptist Church, 500 North Palafox Street on Wednesday, February 20th, 2013, from 2 to 4 p.m. Funeral services will be held Thursday, February 21st, in the First Baptist Church Sanctuary at 1 p.m. Interment will follow at Bayview Memorial Park. Arrangements entrusted to BAYVIEW FISHER-POU CHAPEL of Pensacola, Florida.
Condolences may be offered at www.bayviewfisher-pouchapel.com.
“Faith is to Believe what you do not yet see; the reward for this Faith is to see what you Believe.” -St. Augustine
“I have held many things in my hands, and have lost them all; but whatever I have placed in God’s hands, that I still possess.” – Martin Luther
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