George Dominic Pickhardt of Venice, FL went to be with his Heavenly Father on December27th, 2025. He was born in Memphis, Tennessee on March 31, 1945, to Vernon C. and Johanna M. Pickhardt. He was the oldest of six children. The family moved to Sarasota,Florida in 1959 when George was fourteen years old. He graduated from Cardinal Mooney High School in 1963.Growing up with his family in Sarasota, George spent a great deal of time on the water skiing, fishing with his father and siblings in the Gulf of Mexico, and sailing around the Boca Grande area and the gulf coast.After serving in the U.S. Army, George earned his bachelor’s degree in entomology from the University of Florida in 1969, followed by his master’s degree with a focus on ornamental horticulture in 1971 before studying for his PhD at Cornell University. Later in life, George earned a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Florida.George married his very special, loving and devoted wife, Jean, on November 17, 1975, and recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.Upon returning to the area after his studies, George became very active in both business and the community, joining his father and brothers at Arrow Pest Control and later helping to start several community banks. He served as the Board Chair of Venice Hospital, was the Commodore of the Venice Yacht Club, and was actively involved with Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, the Diocese of Venice, and the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem.  George was also very active with the University of Florida College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS). He was the first president of the CALS Alumni and Friends board, delegate for the Council of Agriculture Research Extension and Teaching, and a member of the UF/IFAS Regional Advisory Council.  George, and his wife Jean, invested their time and talent into many local boards including the YMCA, United Cerebral Palsy of Southwest Florida, Girl Scouts and the Florida Nursery, Growers and Landscape Association.  In addition to his wife, George is survived by his two daughters, Karen and Suzie, seven grandchildren, two great grandchildren, his siblings and their families, Dawn, Vernie, Maryfaith, and Mark. He is preceded in death by his parents, Vernon and Johanna Pickhardt, and his brother Gerard.  George will be remembered and cherished for his contribution to the Sarasota & Venice area, the dedication to the University of Florida, and his devotion to his Catholic faith.

A funeral mass for George will be held at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 1301 Center Road, Venice, FL 34292 on Monday, January 12th, 2026 at 11:00 AM.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Venice Florida in George's memory.