Tom Pickett

For the 19th century American outlaw, see Tom Pickett (outlaw).

Thomas Augustus Pickett (August 14, 1906– June 7, 1980) was a United States Representative representing Texas's 7th congressional district. Born in Travis, Texas on August 14, 1906, Pickett attended the public schools of Palestine, Texas, and the University of Texas at Austin. He studied law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1929 and commenced the practice of law in Palestine, Texas. He was elected County Attorney of Anderson County, Texas 1931-1935; and District Attorney of the Third Judicial District of Texas 1935-1945. In 1944 he beat the Democrat incumbent Nat Patton in the primary. He was then elected as a Democrat to the Seventy-ninth Congress in 1944 and was reelected to the three succeeding Congresses, serving from January 3, 1945, until his resignation on June 30, 1952. He then became Vice President of the National Coal Association from July 1, 1952, to March 31, 1961 and Vice President of the Association of American Railroads from April 1, 1961, to November 30, 1967. Upon his retirement he resided in Leesburg, Florida, until his death there June 7, 1980. He was cremated and his ashes interred at St. James Episcopal Church.