Carlos Alfredo Picard, 95, was welcomed into the kingdom of Heaven, Thursday, September 2, 2021.
Born in Rio Gallegos, Santa Cruz, Argentina on November 16, 1925 to Leonor Izquierdo Picard and Alfredo Enrique Picard, Carlos was the eldest of 3 sons. At 13 years of age, Carlos moved to Buenos Aires to live with his paternal grandmother to start Escuela Industrial de la Nacion Otto Krause since there were no high schools in Rio Gallegos. Upon graduation, he was selected to serve in the Argentine Army for 15 months. Later he was accepted into La Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Ingenieria and in 1954 he graduated with a degree in Telecommunications Engineering. During the time he was attending the university, he worked as a high school professor teaching Electrical Engineering classes to pre-engineering students. His first job was as a Chief Engineer for a small company that assembled television sets. After 2 years, he started his own company producing deflection fly-backs for television sets for customers who placed special orders. This experience led him to work for a medium sized company that represented Rola Company, an American Company that manufactured deflection yokes. They sent him to Cleveland, Ohio to learn everything about the deflection yoke manufacturing process. During this trip, a friend introduced him to the management at General Dynamics where they were looking to hire engineers. He interviewed at the airport and was hired on the spot. Carlos returned to Buenos Aires to bring his wife, daughter (Monica) and mother-in-law to the United States. In 1963, he and his family arrived in Rochester, New York to start his new job. In 1964, Carlos was hired away from General Dynamics to head the engineering department at Rola Company. He accepted the offer, after fulfilling his 9 month contract, and moved his family to Parma, Ohio where his second daughter, Jackie was born that same year. In 1973, Rola transferred Carlos to Brownsville, Texas to run their twin manufacturing plants there and across the border in Matamoros, Tamaulipas. In 1976, with his knowledge and experience to back him, Rola Company transferred him to Laredo, Texas as President and General Manager to run Videocraft Manufacturing Company, then a subsidiary of theirs that manufactured Jensen Speakers among other products. As business increased, Videocraft required more space and Carlos would build the new location in Del Mar Industrial Park. In 1983, Carlos married Alicia Moran Garcia and acquired 4 stepdaughters, future son-in-laws and numerous step grandchildren and step greatgrandchildren that followed. In 1986, Carlos retired but still wanting to be productive and possessing endless energy, he began a new career in Real Estate. He attained his Realtor’s license and worked for Royal Wright (a fellow Rotarian) at Wright Realty Company for many years.
As a lifelong Rotarian, Carlos held several positions and belonged to many more committees, especially at Laredo Rotary Club, where he enjoyed the service to community and friendships that would last a lifetime. Carlos was committed to his faith and his Church, St. Patrick’s where he belonged to the Men’s Club. He also, was a member of The Order of Alhambra, Caravan #64, a Catholic Fraternal Order where he held the office of Grand Commander and dedicated his service specifically to the education and assistance for persons developmentally disabled.
Carlos is preceded in death by his father, Alfredo Enrique Picard, his mother, Leonor Izquierdo Picard and his brother, Horacio Silvano Agustin Picard.
Left to cherish his memory is his wife Alicia Moran Picard; daughters, Monica Picard Jeffery (David), Jackie Picard Dennington (Joe); grandchildren, Ashley, Matthew, Katie and Jennifer; stepdaughters, Aline Garcia Weinheimer (Bruce), Alvina Johnson (Jerry), Alisa G. Christensen (Martin), Analine Johnson (Keith); step grandchildren, Cara Purvis (Shawn), Rachel (Erica Mirabitur), Danea, Tila, Rozeanna Henderson (Shane), Chanel and Callan; step greatgrandchildren, Auvry, Rylan and Reagan; brother, Jorge Alberto Picard (Elvira); as well as other extended family and friends who will greatly miss him.
Visitation will be held Thursday, September 9, 2021 at Fred Dickey Funeral & Cremation Services, 1320 Trey Drive, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. A Rosary officiated by Deacon Henry Mejia will be celebrated at 6 p.m. A Vigil will be celebrated at 7 p.m. The Funeral Mass will begin at 10 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Friday, September 10, 2021. Inurnment will follow immediately at the family niche at Calvary Catholic Cemetery.
Funeral arrangements are by Fred Dickey Funeral & Cremation Services, 1320 Trey Dr., Laredo, Texas 78041 (956) 723-3611. For your convenience, you may leave your condolences to the family online at www.freddickey.com