Obituary for Jeffrey Austin Pickles

On September 29, 2022, Jeffrey Austin Pickles stepped into the loving arms of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Born July 29, 1947, in Newburgh NY, to Robert A Pickles (Deceased September 1999) and Marian F Pickles (Deceased August 2016), Jeff was a warm, funny, and caring individual that never shrank from challenge or ran from adversity. Neither the worst of the Vietnam War, fighting as a US Marine Sgt E-5 mortarman near the DMZ in Vietnam, nor multiple health challenges were able to dampen his spirit or lessen his passion or care for those around him.

Married to Ann Marie Gallo (Deceased January 1999) in 1968 and living in Beacon NY, Jeff enjoyed a successful career in IBM Manufacturing and was blessed with a son Jonathan and daughter Karen who still live in NY state with their children.

Relocating to North Carolina after the death of his wife Ann Marie, Jeff enjoyed a productive retirement in Southern Pines and Pinehurst where he met and married his wife, Deborah Quale in 2005.

Jeff was blessed with a great sense of humor and was always quick with a joke and a smile as he reached out with a servant’s heart to those around him less fortunate. Whether through prison ministry or caring for the local indigenous Indian population near Pinehurst, Jeff was a true hero and a giver. He was also very talented with his hands and following in the mechanical gifts of his dad; he even built an awesome dune buggy from scratch! His accolades extended to his military service, where he received the National Defense Service medal, Vietnam Service medal with 2 stars, Vietnam Campaign medal with device, Presidential Unit citation, and Combat Action ribbon.

Husband, father, preacher, brother, volunteer firefighter, spiritual warrior, patriot and US Marine, heaven is now greatly enriched by his presence. Although those left behind now miss him dearly, we can rejoice in and are comforted by his eternal joy and healing in the presence of his Lord. He is survived by his wife Deborah; children Jonathan and Karen; grandchildren Harleigh, Arden, Joren, Amerie; brother Thomas, his children Deanna and Brian, and his fiancé Kim; and brother Mark, his wife Bernadette, and their children Austin and Joshua.

A memorial service has been scheduled for 11 AM Monday, April 3, 2023 at Christ Community Church, 220 Campground Rd., West End, NC 27376.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the American Parkinson’s Disease Association.

Online condolences may be made at www.bolesfuneralhome.com.

Services are entrusted to Boles Funeral Home.

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