from the USTA Communications Department

Columbus, OH — Lloyd Edward Pickett, Jr., 86, died May 30, 2011, after a lengthy illness.

The son of Beatrice Pearl (LaPlante) and Lloyd E. Pickett, Sr. he was born in Greenville, Maine, on July 4, 1924. He raised four children with his beloved late wife Masie. He was quick to tell people that they were married 65 years prior to her death in 2008.

Mr. Pickett served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. After coming home he worked in construction, logging and farming.

Sometime in the 1950s he discovered harness racing. With four small children and Masie at his side he began a career that would span more than 50 years. He was proud of his USTA driver/trainer license right up until the day he died. Racing all over New England he weathered the bad times as well as the good.

While his children were growing up he drove a tractor trailer truck delivering oil throughout the cold winter months and horses the rest of the year. The first and last time he drove a horse was at the Windsor Fair Grounds in Windsor, Maine. In between he raced all over the east coast.

Mr. Pickett is survived by his children, Jo Ann, Susan, Lloyd III, and Catherine; grandchildren, Jeff, Jonathan, James, Judith, Rogeana, Heather, Holly and Emily; and great grandchildren, Caitlyn, Shaanah, Randi, Izrael, Jordan, Ryan, James and Robert. In addition to his parents and wife he was preceded in death by his brothers, William and Donald; and his sister, Lucille.