Copyright 2006 St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Inc.
St. Louis Post-Dispatch (Missouri)
Lawrence J. “Larry” Picker, retired chief of the Community Fire Protection District, died Tuesday (May 30, 2006) of cancer at his residence in Weldon Spring Heights in St. Charles County. He was 79.
Mr. Picker was born in St. Louis. He was a graduate of Ritenour High School. He served in the Navy in World War II.
In 1956, he joined the Community Fire Protection District, which covers part of north St. Louis County.
Mr. Picker worked through the ranks as captain, district chief and deputy chief before being appointed fire marshal and assistant chief in 1983. A year later, he was appointed chief.
Mr. Picker was experienced in fire photography, arson investigation, public relations, hazardous materials and training and fire prevention. During the 1960s, he was one of three firefighters who initiated one of the first associate degree programs in fire engineering. The program was at St. Louis Community College at Florissant Valley, where he earned a degree. In the early 1980s, Mr. Picker completed courses in executive management at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Md.
He retired from the Community Fire Protection District in 1988.
Visitation is from 2 to 9 p.m. today at Stygar Mid Rivers Funeral Home, 5987 Mid Rivers Mall Drive in St. Charles. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at the funeral home. Interment will be in Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery.
Among the survivors are his wife of 57 years, Joan Picker; two daughters, Michelle Sutter of Warrenton and Ann Marie Trimble of Memphis, Tenn.; three sons, Michael Picker of St. Charles, Steve Picker of Warrenton and Joseph Picker of Wentzville; two sisters, Lorraine Post of Bridgeton and Lois Hogan of Overland; eight grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.