George "Ron" Flock

Ron was born in Garfield County, Nebraska, to William Jennings Bryan Flock and Freda Louese Conner. He attended his first years of school in a one-room schoolhouse and grew up on a cattle ranch where his family raised watermelons. As a boy, he trained cutting horses, and his first horse, Pal, remained special to him throughout his life. He graduated from Ord High School in 1960 and earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in 1965 in foreign languages, pitched for UNL's Men's Baseball team and was a trainer for the basketball and football teams. While at UNL, falling asleep in class, he met Kathleen Annette Hobbs, when she kindly kicked the back of his chair to wake him up. They married and were together for 57 years until her death in 2021.

Ron had a long and decorated career in the United States Air Force, retiring as a Colonel after 30 years of service. During his military career, he served in Vietnam and in the Persian Gulf War. He flew 172 combat missions and logged more than 3,400 flight hours. His decorations included four Meritorious Service Medals, ten Air Medals, and three Air Force Commendation Medals.

After retirement, Ron became a substitute teacher at Papillion-LaVista High School and coached the girl’s golf team. He happily filled his days pursuing his many hobbies and organization affiliations. His commitment to community service was unstinting. “Lion Ron” was Papillion Lions Club Area President, District Governor of 38-N in 2002–2003 and Council Chairperson in 2005–2006, and was recognized Internationally with the Melvin Jones Fellowship, International President and International Leadership recognitions. He was a Supporter of the General Federation of Women's Club, a booster of The University of Nebraska and was the first to buy your tickets to the spaghetti feed, roll his vehicle up to your car wash or sign up for a shift in the dunking booth at Papillion Days.

A lifelong and avid sportsperson, Ron, in addition to his collegiate (and almost professional career!) as a baseball player, also loved squash, handball, racquetball, tennis and of course, golf. He enjoyed picking up crafts such as jewelry making, woodworking, and ceramics. Water sports were also a favorite pastime: water skiing, motor boating, rowing, and—during postings on the East Coast—sailing the Chesapeake after buying a boat and learning together as a family.

Ron had a beautiful singing voice, loved to do it and rarely stopped. He was active in the Barbershop Harmony Society as a member of the Heartland Harmonizers (Sarpy Serenaders), Q Street Quartet, and Yesterday’s Kids. If you met Ron, he sang you a song, and always encouraged you to join in.

Ron also had a celebratory zest for life’s simple pleasures: spicy food, oysters, Costco hot dogs, steak, corn on the cob, Guinness, single malt Scotch, mai tais and corny jokes.

When Ron joined the military, he and Kathleen hoped more than anything that they would see the world. When they weren’t traversing the globe attending events for the GFWC, Lions International Conventions, barbershop competitions, hosting family vacations at Disney or visiting wherever Heather and Heath might be living, or simply traveling for adventure, they were often dreaming of or returning to their most beloved spot on earth: the Big Island of Hawaii. Through it all? GO. BIG. RED.

Ron was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Kathleen Annette (Hobbs) Flock; his siblings Louese, Marlene, Dean, Mary Lou, Rose, and Dixie; and his parents.

Ron is survived by his favorite daughter, Heather and his favorite son, Heath and beautiful Daughter in Law Jennifer. Ron is also survived by grandchildren Charlie (Jordan), Lilie (Jayden) William (McKay), Jonathan, Nathan, Suzie, George, and Oliver, and great-grandchildren James and Lucy.

Sincere thanks to Michelle Harris and husband Todd who were much more than neighbors and whose care for Ron in his final years was invaluable to Heather and Heath, and so appreciated by Ron. Thanks also to niece Dena (Pokorny) Roy, Kathy (Walker) and Bob Swan, Pat and Dave Lang, Bev and Tom Vitamvas for their long and unwavering friendship, Al and Judy Hansen and all of Ron’s friends in song.

VISITATION Friday, April 3, 2026 from 1-2pm at Kahler Dolce Mortuary. CELEBRATION OF LIFE to follow at 2pm. INURNMENT 3:30pm at Omaha National Cemetery.

Memorials in Ron's name are suggested to the Papillion and International Lions Club, the Sarpy Serenaders, or the Heartland Harmonizers.