Former Florida College Bible professor dies at 53

TEMPLE TERRACE, Fla. — Marty Pickup, a former student and Bible professor at Florida College, died of an apparent heart attack March 26 while playing tennis. He was 53.
Pickup taught Bible at the Christian college from 1988 to 2004. In recent years, he had preached and served as an elder for the Valrico Church of Christ.
“This was just totally unexpected. That’s the hard part,’’ Kenny Moorer, Florida College’s athletic director, told the Tampa Bay Times. “He had a good sense of humor. He was very kind-hearted. He cared for a lot of people,’’ said Moorer, who described Pickup as his best friend.
Pickup’s grandfather Harry Pickup Sr. and father, Harry Pickup Jr., both worked in Florida College’s public relations office. His mother, Joella Pickup, was a longtime music professor.
Survivors include his wife, Aimee; his children, Nathan, Taylor and Nicole; and his parents.
Marty Pickup, a former student and Bible professor at Florida College, died of an apparent heart attack March 26 while playing tennis. He was 53.
Pickup taught Bible at the Christian college from 1988 to 2004. In recent years, he had preached and served as an elder for the Valrico Church of Christ.
“This was just totally unexpected. That’s the hard part,’’ Kenny Moorer, Florida College’s athletic director, told the Tampa Bay Times. “He had a good sense of humor. He was very kind-hearted. He cared for a lot of people,’’ said Moorer, who described Pickup as his best friend.
Pickup’s grandfather Harry Pickup Sr. and father, Harry Pickup Jr., both worked in Florida College’s public relations office. His mother, Joella Pickup, was a longtime music professor.
Survivors include his wife, Aimee; his children, Nathan, Taylor and Nicole; and his parents.