PBT Boardmember Charlie Pickens has Passed Away. It is a Great Loss for his Family, the PBT Family and the Bail Industry



With much sorrow, we announce the death of a member of the PBT family and the bail community.  PBT Boardmember Charlie Pickens has died!  Charlie was a very important member of the bail industry.  Charlie along with Justin from his office were instrumental in designing and developing the PBT Call to Action and Click to Dial System that PBT currently uses at the Texas Legislature.  In the last couple of years, Charlie and Justin redesigned the system to allow PBT to offer it to other states to use to assist them before their legislatures.  

Charlie is also a member of the PBT-PR Committee and was a part of the team that developed the PBT podcast "The Bail Post" which is regularly ranked as one of the best Criminal Justice Podcasts.  Charlie designed the artwork that is currently being used for the podcast.  Also, as a member of the PR Committee he and Justin were instrumental in developing tools to allow for the analysis of large amounts of data to provide important information to legislators and the industry regarding soft on crime policies.

Charlie was also a member of the PBT-Legislative Committee fighting for the bail industry before the Texas Legislature.

In 2022, The Professional Bondsmen of Texas selected Charlie as "Bondsman of the Year."  In 2023, Charlie received an award as "Legislative Friend of PBT." 

Charlie was always willing to offer his time and Justin's time along with their expertise to help bring cutting edge technology to PBT for the betterment of the industry.

Please pray for Charlies' family during this time.  His obituary is below.

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Charles Edward Pickens Jr., 65, of Waco, passed away Saturday, April 5, 2025, at his home with his family by his side.

Funeral services will begin at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 15, in the Chapel at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home with Pastor Kenneth Hutyra officiating. Burial will follow at Waco Memorial Park. Visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Monday, April 14, at the funeral home.


Mr. Pickens was born on June 16, 1959, in Waco and raised in Bellmead. He attended La Vega ISD and Axtell ISD, graduating from Axtell High School. Afterward, he worked alongside his father for many years at Pickens Truck Sales, while also running a successful 'Sports Consulting' business for over a decade. Charlie later founded Pickens Bail Bonds in Bellmead, which he proudly owned and operated for more than thirty years with his sons, Adam and Charlie, and his dear friend and co-worker, Justin Draper.


Charlie’s dedication extended far beyond business—he had a true heart for helping others. In a world that often lacked compassion, he stood out as someone who genuinely cared. His commitment to the profession earned him a seat on the board of the Professional Bondsmen of Texas, where he continued to serve until the day he passed. But more than anything, Charlie cherished his family—both immediate and extended. His love ran deep, his generosity was legendary, his laughter was contagious, and his time with us was far too short.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Ernest Pickens and wife Rachel, and Jack Brooks and wife Pauline Hukel; his father, Charles Edward Pickens Sr.; his mother, Sandra Brooks Pickens; and his sister, Sherri Pickens Keller.

Survivors include his devoted wife, Rhetta Jeanine Pickens; his sons, Adam Ray Gunn and wife Jo Ann of Mansfield, and Charles Edward Pickens III and wife Kristi of China Spring; and his grandchildren, Charles Edward Pickens IV, Parker William Pickens, and Brooks Allen Pickens.

He is also survived by his brothers, Johnnie Pickens and wife Janet of Axtell, and Joey Pickens and fiancée Alyshia of Woodway; his sister, Sheila Thun and husband Tom of Axtell; aunt, Patty Neckar; uncle, Gary Brooks; and brother-in-law, Kenny Keller of Axtell.


He is survived as well by his nieces, Kinna Keller Jones and husband Justin, Emily Thun Smith and husband Cody, and Bobbie Jo London and husband Chris; and nephews, Steven Keller and wife Lindsay, Kevin Keller and wife Tiffany, and Chris Thun and wife Amber.

Great-nieces include Caroline Jones, Kiersten Keller, Coral Clatterbuck and husband Stephen, Sydney Garcia, Hayven Jiminez and husband Joaquin, and Maddison London; and great-great niece, Cristal Jiminez. Great-nephews include Jax Smith, Jonah Smith, Jude Smith, Jameson Keller, Kolby Keller, Carson London, Seth Jones, Dillon Jones, and Garrett Jones.

He also leaves behind numerous loving extended family members and a host of lifelong friends who will miss him dearly.

Pallbearers will be Ernest Pickens, Danny Pickens, Lee Pickens, Gary Brooks, Vaughn Thompson, Henry Witt, Ricky Rasberry, Butch Moeller, Alex Solis, Ronnie Davis, and Kristen Pickens Badgett.

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