Harold E Pickartz

Harold E. Pickartz, age 102 of Ozark, Arkansas, passed away Wednesday, May 8, 2024, in Ozark. He was born September 9, 1921, in a log cabin in Philpot Valley Ozark, Arkansas to Oliver and Vernie Stewart Pickartz. Harold graduated the 8th grade from Grenades Chapel and then Ozark School in 1941. He worked in California on the B24 bomber for 26 months, returned to Ozark to join the service in the Army basic, joined gunnery school, and became certified as a gunner on a Tank Destroyer. The Tank Destroyer Unit was destroyed, and Harold was chosen as a Fighter Pilot, but was noted as being color blind, so he joined the infantry, went to the Philippines as a Tech Seargent, left the Philippines for the southern tip of Japan, made three trips to Hiroshima for inspections, left Japan for the United States, and then to Ft Charles. While in Japan, Harold’s friends had entered him in a wrestle match with the Champion of Japan, even though he didn’t like the idea, he crawled in, the champions arms were slick and larger than Harold’s body, so he jumped out and had a big cheer. Two Civilians from Fort Charles tried taking him to Kentucky to be a tobacco auctioneer for a tobacco company and Harold wanted to stay in Arkansas. Harold was into sports as well; he participated in baseball and basketball and even started his own league in Ozark. For nine months he worked for the State National Guard and was trying to get the National Guard a position in Ozark. It took three officers and twelve enlisted men, and it was called 937 C. Battery Field Artillery. After a few years the big battery was called to Korea for long range 155mm shells. Harold earned the Presidential citation. He fixed one of the big guns with a penny and put it back in action. He was also part of World War II. Harold retired after 22 years of service and worked for 20 years as an Automative Instructor at Arkansas Valley Vocational School before retiring from Arkansas Teachers. After retiring, Harold and his wife Bessie bought a farm, a house, and a few cattle. The cattle and horses are now gone, but Harold and Bessie still managed a garden, mowing the lawn, spending time fishing, and wood working. He taught Sunday School and was a Deacon at the Presbyterian Church. Harold was a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles 3455 in Altus, Arkansas, the Arkansas Cattlemen Association, the Ozark Young Baseball, Charter Member of Ozark National Guard, and was a Mason. Harold is preceded in death by his parents; and one sister, Alma Anderson; and one daughter, Pamela Dotson Ihle. Harold is survived by his wife of 47 years, Bessie Pruitt Pickartz; his children, David Pickartz, Cathy Pickartz Bennett, Kelly Pickartz Neissl, John Pickartz, Debra Summers, and Billy Dotson; twenty-one grandchildren; and numerous great grandchildren. Open viewing visitation will be 12:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M., Sunday, May 12, 2024, at Shaffer Funeral Home, 2315 West Commercial Street in Ozark. Graveside service will be 10:00 A.M., Monday, May 13, 2024, at Highland Cemetery, Highway 64 West in Ozark, with Brother Steve Sawrie and Brother Lonnie Turner officiating, with burial at Highland Cemetery, under the direction of Shaffer Funeral Home. Family asks if memorials are made, please make them to Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 514 Ozark, Arkansas 72949 Serving as pallbearers will be Joe Ihle, Randall Bowden, Zac Carpenter, Billy Dotson, Adam Dotson, and Ethan Neissl To leave an online memorial visit www.shafferfuneralhomeweb.com

Harold E Pickartz

September 9, 1921 - May 8, 2024