John Pickle A Lifetime of Cars, Art and Horses
April 16, 1947- Jan 2, 2008

John Pickle

Ramona resident and businessman John Pickle died on January 2, as the result of a brain hemorrhage. Pickle was born April 16, 1947.

Pickle was the owner of the Toy Box, located on D Street. Here, he completed work on rods, customs and restorations. A lifelong lover of cars, he was the founder of the Over the Hill Gang hot rod club.

Pickle was also well-known as a successful artist. In Ramona, he designed posters and t-shirts for the annual rodeo. He was the artist for the Old Town Ramona project and held two shows in the Olde Ramona Hotel Gallery.

As part of the Over the Hill Gang horse club, Pickle spent many hours planning and participating in the annual trail ride from Ramona to Brawley, and later from Lakeside to Borrego Springs. Under the stage name "Dakota," Pickle performed skits and comedy acts with the club throughout the region.

Pickle was born in Brookings, South Dakota, and grew up in La Puente, CA. He graduated from North Poly High in Riverside, and received his bachelor's degree in commercial art and graphics

at what is now San Diego State University. He taught graphic art in San Diego County ROP courses.

Pickle Graphics opened in the late 1970s in El Cajon to a thriving business in signs and publishing. He kept the business until his move to Ramona in the 1980s.

Pickle is survived by his wife, Elaine; daughters Linda (Benjamin) Barrett of Ramona and Laurie (Joe) Lake of Surprise, Arizona; sons James and Brian Shrout of Ramona; grandchildren Amanda and Robert Barrett and Ashley Lake; and his two sisters, Teri Pickle and Liz Schuck, both of Half Moon Bay, California.

A Celebration of Life service is planned for Feb. 9 at the Ramona rodeo grounds, 421 Aqua Lane, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. A silent auction will be held to raise funds for the support of his family. Donations are being accepted. For more information, contact Deena Sommerville at 619-478-1184.