From Habitat for Humanity of Archuleta County
In 2007 Terry Pickett and his wife, Johnny, moved to Pagosa Springs from Kansas City to retire.
Given Terry’s passion for helping folks who need a “hand up, not a handout,” he found his calling with Habitat for Humanity of Archuleta County. Habitat is known worldwide for building affordable homes, but the organization’s mission also extends to repairing homes for families in need. In some cases, repairs are required in order for a family to remain in the home. For 15 years, Terry developed and worked as the lead volunteer and repair program manager at Habitat Archuleta.
He would find funding to defray the cost of repairs and line up local volunteers to help complete them. Our records indicate that more than 20 repairs ranging from upgrading insulation to remodeling bathrooms were completed—from Aspen Springs to Trails in the PLPOA, to downtown Pagosa. Terry was integral in completing a major repair to Jini and Bill’s hunting cabin in 2020. He replaced windows, added winterization measures, and shored up a sagging floor in many homes in Archuleta County.
Those who volunteered with Terry witnessed his passion for helping in our community. The local homeowners’ association got to know Terry as someone who could help struggling families clear up HOA violations.
In addition to heading up the repair program, Terry helped with new construction on Habitat Homes in Archuleta County and also supported family services.
Habitat Archuleta staff are still using the criteria Terry organized into charts and questionnaires. Through these documents, the Family Services Team leans on Terry’s guidance during interviews with applicants to this day. In 2016-2017 Habitat Archuleta found itself without an Executive Director, without a Board President and without funding for the next build. Terry was not about to let our affiliate go under.
He stepped up as the Board President and started recruiting new board members. Together they found a new Executive Director and grant funding which allowed Habitat Archuleta to continue its mission. Once the path forward was established, Terry relinquished his Board President position and went back to leading the repair program.
In 2022 Terry and Johnny returned to Kansas City to be closer to family, where he passed away in early 2025.
Habitat Archuleta has been in existence for 30 years, and for half of that time Terry played a huge role. The organization would not be as strong as it is today if not for the humanitarian efforts of Terry Pickett. Even in his passing, Terry’s loved ones have reached out to Habitat Archuleta to show their support for our shared mission.
Thank you, Terry. We appreciate everything you have done for our homeowners and we will miss you.
You may view Terry’s obituary here:
https://terrypickett.com/