Homer Nicolas Pickrell

We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Homer Nicolas Pickrell, 72, on January 31, 2025 after suffering a stroke. He leaves behind his wife of 40 years, Eilene; daughter, Nicole, who was named after him; sister, Donna Shelley and husband, Dr. Phillip Shelley; brother-in-law Michael Vaughn and wife, Judy; nephew, Matthew Shelley, wife Ashley and daughters Violet and Everly; and many relatives and friends. We will greatly miss his wicked sense of humor, love for family and country, and sensitivity toward helping animals in need.

A lifelong resident of Albuquerque, Nick or Nicky as he became known, was born to Donald and Elizabeth Pickrell on June 16, 1952 at Presbyterian Hospital. He attended McKinley Elementary, Jefferson Junior High, and Highland High Schools and went on to earn a Bachelor’s degree from the University of New Mexico and an Associate’s degree in drafting and computer-aided design from Central New Mexico Community College. He built a career designing irrigation systems for landscaping firms and drafting plans for industrial products, including water and grain storage tanks and specialized trailers until he retired in 2020.

Nick’s real love was music. In the ‘70s and ‘80s he was a hard-rocking drummer for local rock bands Cody, Blue Tail and Duke City Bop, playing at dances, parties, night clubs, and concerts.

Fast cars, looking at them and driving them was also a favorite pastime. H liked watching all types of racing.

What Nick like most was spending time with his family traveling around the country and taking many road trips throughout New Mexico, often stopping for hikes along the way. The one thing he rarely missed was his daily hike around the vast outdoor space surrounding Mesa del Sol. He called the mesa his church.

Our family would like to extend our deepest appreciation to the Albuquerque Police Department Officers, Open Space Officers, and UNM Hospital providers and nurses.

A funeral service will be held Monday, February 24, 2025 at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 4th Street and Silver Avenue, Downtown Albuquerque.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your favorite charitable organization in memory of Nick.