David Lee Pickering

David L. Pickering, age 87, went to meet our Lord and Savior on August 10, 2026. He was born in Los Angeles, California, to William S. and Louise R. Pickering, August 02, 1939. 

In 1945, David moved with his family to Little River, Kansas. He attended a country school and graduated from Little River High School in 1957. An honor student, David also participated in football and track. He worked construction during the summers to pay for his four years at Fort Hays State University. David attended Fort Hays State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics. In 1961, he continued his education with postgraduate studies in Computer Science and finance at Wichita State University and Oklahoma State University. While attending Fort Hays State University, David met Shirley M. Flagler. They were married in Shirley’s hometown Methodist Church in Quinter, Kansas, August 19th, 1965. They lived in Los Angeles after being married. After working in Los Angeles for 5 years, David joined Boeing Aircraft Company in Wichita, Kansas, as an engineer in January 1966. In 1970, he accepted a teaching position at Oklahoma State University, where he taught mathematics and Computer Science. David and Shirley welcomed their son, Brent Pickering, March 25th, 1970, at St. Joseph Hospital in Wichita, Kansas. David was delighted to have a son with whom he could share his love of hunting, fishing, and collecting firearms. He was also a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association. While David was teaching at Oklahoma State University from 1970 to 1972 in Stillwater, Oklahoma, his father’s health, due to Parkinson’s disease, continued to worsen until he could no longer farm. David left his teaching position, and David, Shirley, and Brent moved to a farm near his dad and mother’s farm. David and Shirley spent ten years farming and operating a large livestock operation. In 1976, David and Shirley expanded their family by adopting Allen, Mary, and Connie, biological siblings, in order to stay together.

They eventually sold the farm and livestock operation and moved to Andover, KS. David accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior in 1979 and was baptized at Andover Baptist Church in 1981. David and the pastor of the church began sharing the gospel door-to-door and participating in prison ministry. In 1983, David returned to Boeing and engineering. Later, Spirit Aerosystems called him back. He remained there until 2012. David, Shirley, and the family moved from Andover to Mulvane. In 1983, they sold the home in Andover and bought a home in Mulvane. David continued door-to-door ministry with Pastor Mark Hoover of Messiah Baptist throughout the 1980s, sharing the Gospel with people throughout the community. David never let fear stop him from reaching others. He often joked that while others were nervous about approaching certain homes, it was the dogs that made him jump quite a few fences. In 1989, David and Shirley sold their Mulvane home and used the proceeds to remodel two buildings in the Wichita Planeview Community, where they started and pastored an Asian mission. They got a bus to pick up the children for Sunday church and other church activities. David and Shirley found great joy in the children learning about Jesus. Many children received Jesus, and many baptisms were performed at Lake Afton and at the home church, Midway Baptist on South Broadway and Lager. They bought the home right by the church buildings to be closer to the mission. The mission became a place of faith, fellowship, and joy. The children’s church grew to being filled. Shirley prepared scrambled eggs and rice every morning before church. David made sure the children enjoyed roller skating, swimming, and the park with church picnics. David brought several girls in need into their home, opening their family to those who needed a safe and loving place to live. One night, David surprised Shirley by telling her, “More kids to love in a place to live.” The girls later shared that there was someone who needed help and a safe place to stay. David and Shirley went to the laundromat to bring her into their home, and Ann became a beloved part of their family beginning in 1992. Following his years in the workforce and later in retirement, David built a successful residential real estate business, purchasing and remodeling homes throughout the community and providing clean, safe housing for people and families. He continued this work throughout his later years, leaving behind a lasting legacy of hard work and service to others.

Due to his hearing loss, David retired from Spirit Aerospace and the church mission in 2012, but his ministry continued. He wrote a salvation tract and mailed copies throughout the Wichita area from 2012 until 2026. David remained devoted to sharing the message of salvation until the end of his life.David spent two weeks in Vietnam in 2003 to officiate the marriage of Ann Tran and TD Vue. As a pastor and family member, David traveled to Vietnam to be there for their wedding and officiate their marriage. Their family later welcomed a special grandson, Joey N. Tran, who was born in Wichita, KS. 

David was preceded in death by his parents, William S. & Louise R. Pickering; his brother, Billie William Pickering; his oldest son, Allen P. Pickering; oldest daughter, Mary Pickering-Galle; and sister-in-law, Charlene Gaskell.

He is survived by his loving wife, Shirley M. Pickering, of 61 years; his son, Brent D. Pickering, and wife Tracy; his daughter, Connie M. Sowersby, and husband David; and cherished family members Ann Tran and her son, Joey Tran.Additional surviving family members include his sister-in-law, Sharon L. Younger, and Judy Pickering; Sharon’s husband, Gary Younger; her nephew, London Younger, and wife Galina; and their daughter, Victoria; Scott Gaskell; and his beloved niece, Andrea Pike, and husband Jim Pike.Grandchildren and Great-Grandchildren: Trent D. Pickering, wife Taylor, and daughter Willow Mae Pickering; Kistin R. Hinkle, husband TJ Hinkle, and sons Tristian and Decklan Hinkle; Aubrey Pickering-Lee; Nah Pan; Lynne M. Pickering- Cody and children Summer, Shawn, Travis, Cameron, Jacob, Jordyn, and Charlotte; Amanda and husband Billie; Savannah and Madden; Amber and Tanner; Izzie, Zoey, and Abagail; and Mary’s children, Bobbie, Shawn, and Heather.

David and Shirley also opened their hearts and home to many others who lovingly called them “Dad,” “Grandpa,” “Mom,” or “Grandma,” including Bunny, Kariyani, Nancy, Lisa, Kristine, Tia, Hoa, Sophan, Shara, Amanda, Sokha, Sarah, Yoanna, Misty, Anna, Rose, Tina, Trinhcao, Polly, Wendy, Kim, Ngoc, and many, many more over the years.

Any donations may be made to Celebration Baptist Church · 7202 E. 9th Street, Wichita, KS 67206 Good Shepherd Hospice · 9829 E. Rock Hill St. #403, Wichita, KS 67206.