Tony Vee Pickering

Tony was born August 8, 1941 in Payson, Utah to Mack and Lucy Pickering. He had on brother, Dennis. Growing up in Payson, he experienced the simplicity of country life and the outdoors. He enjoyed many years of hunting and fishing with his family and friends.



Tony graduated from Payson High School and there he played the trombone and absorbed any type of architecture and art classes available. He was a natural at drawing at an early age.



Tony lived an amazing life. He loved life, people, his art and his family. He would let people into his life and wanted to know about theirs. He was truly a genuine person, full of compassion, love and humor.



Tony met and married his soul mate, Andrea Mellor. They had over 40 years of true love and understanding. They always enjoyed doing the same kinds of things together. They had two daughters, Tonya and Danielle. To his family, he was the best dad ever.



Tony was an accomplished artist, using four mediums: pencil, bronze, stone and wood. His art work graces many homes and galleries over the country. His creations are one of a kind, expressing grace and beauty in its finest form.



He attended B.Y.U. and Utah State University in advertising, design, and illustration: later, continuing his education in stone, wood and bronze sculpting.



Around nine years ago, he was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. He never gave up hope and determination of beating the disease. He continued to be courageous and did his best to live a normal life. His creativity continued despite the disease until the very end.



Tony passed away January 17, 2009 at the Huntsman Cancer Hospital with his family and friends at his side. Tony was loved by all who met and knew him, his art and person will leave a legacy that many of us only dream about.



Tony is survived by his wife, Andrea; his daughter, Tonya Adamson; granddaughters, Lindzie Adamson and Berlynn Gubler; and brother, Dennis Pickering. He leaves behind many aunts and uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews who adore him. He was preceded in death by his parents and daughter, Danielle.



The family would like to express their deepest love and appreciation to his family, extended family and friends, for their closeness shared throughout his life and especially through the trying years of his illness. We would also like to extend the same appreciation to the medical professionals that gave of their dedication, expertise and even love, to the hard fought battle to save Tony's life.



A viewing will be held on Thursday, January 22, 2009 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Wheeler Mortuary, 211 East 200 South in Springville. A funeral to honor Tony's life will be on Friday, January 23, 2009 at 11 a.m. at Wheeler Mortuary with a viewing at 10 a.m., one hour prior to the service. Interment will be in the Springville Evergreen Cemetery.