James Leroy Pickens Jr., known to all as "Buzz", was surrounded by family when he died peacefully at age 69 on March 28, 2026, at St. Dominic's Hospital in Jackson, Mississippi.

Mr. Pickens is survived by his son, John Stafford Pickens of Pegram, Tennessee; his sisters, Deborah Pickens Pantenburg (Leon) of Bend, Oregon and Patricia Pickens Peets of Brandon, Mississippi; his brother in heart, Dale McCoy (Cynthia) of Jacksonville, Florida; his nieces, Ashley Peets LaBarre (Seth) of Brandon, Mississippi and Mary Elizabeth Pantenburg of Bend, Oregon; his nephew, Daniel Lee Pantenburg of Bend, Oregon; his aunts Dorothy Pickens McElroy of Amory, Mississippi and Martha Lagrone Loyacono of Vicksburg, Mississippi; his uncle Davis Andrew Pickens of Florida; and his many cousins.

He is preceded in death by his father, James Leroy Pickens Sr. and mother, Ethel LaGrone Pickens of Vicksburg, Mississippi; his grandparents, Charles Garvis Lagrone and Mary Elizabeth Stafford, of Vicksburg, Mississippi and Roy Ziegler Pickens and Dorothy Neely Pickens of Jackson, Mississippi; his uncle Charles Garvis Lagrone, Jr. of Vicksburg, Mississippi; his nephew, James Patrick Pantenburg of Bend, Oregon.

James Leroy Pickens Jr. was born on December 14, 1956, in Biloxi, Mississippi to parents James Leroy Pickens Sr. and Ethel Lagrone Pickens while James Sr. served in the United States Air Force.

Buzz said before he died what a blessed life he led with a supportive family, an expansive network of friends, colleagues, and musical relations. He started his music career early as a young teenager playing with his father and other professional musicians at locations around Vicksburg,

He was married to Peggy Rogers in Jackson, Mississippi and moved to Nashville, Tennessee where John was born. While in Nashville, he continued his music profession as an entertainer and worked as a certified electrician. He also spent time in Metairie, Louisiana.

Buzz spent his last 15 years doing what he loved by entertaining with his music throughout the Jackson area, reconnecting with Mississippi artists, and expanding his large network of friends, while truly enjoying time with his family.

A celebration of Buzz's life is scheduled for Hal & Mal's Restaurant in Jackson, Mississippi on Sunday, April 12th, at 3 pm to 6 pm as an open house. Friends of Buzz and his family are invited to attend.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to WellsFestCARES at https://wellsfestcares.org/, where Buzz was an active participant raising money for musicians in need.