Jack E. Lockett
July 18, 1945 - February 9, 2025
CEDAR FALLS– It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Jack E. Lockett, 79. He passed on February 9, 2025, in Hospice Care at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, after years long battle with cancer and numerous complications of Agent Orange exposure.
He was born on July 18, 1945, in Kingsley, IA to Russell and Ruth Bell (Matthews) Lockett. Jack graduated from Kingsley/Pierson HS in 1963, spent one semester at Westmar University in LeMars, IA, where he played football. At the end of his first season, he left college and enlisted in the US Air Force. He took his technical training at Lowry AFB, Colorado to become a munitions specialist. He was then assigned to Dover Air Force base in Delaware, and next to Korat Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand (during the Vietnam Era conflict), followed by duty at Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota and two temporary tours on the Pacific Island of Guam. Following discharge from the Air Force he attended the University of Northern Iowa and graduated in 1973 with a BS in Social Work. He was hired at the Waterloo Police Department and worked there for 30+ years. He served in various capacities, including Youth Aid/School Liaison, Patrolman/Patrol Sgt., Watch/Shift Commander, Tac Team, Department Armorer/Firearms Instructor.
Jack met his wife of 55 years on his first day on the UNI campus. They were married on December 27, 1969, in a small church (Bethel) in Boone County near Nancy’s rural farm home. They moved to their long-time home on Leversee Road, Cedar Falls, in 1977 where they raised their two sons, Jason and Justin.
While working at the WPD, Jack resumed his military service in1974 when he joined the US Army Reserve Unit located in Waterloo, IA. When the unit was moved out of state in 1980, he joined the IA Air National Guard/Tactical Fighter Wing in Des Moines, retiring out in 1991 as a M/Sgt E-7. Completing more than 20 years of military service was a great source of pride for Jack.
Since his retirement in 2002, Jack loved spending time with family and friends, especially at the cabin in South Dakota. He was passionate about hosting his infamous Catus Jack Shoot Outs. He loved hunting in Montana, Nebraska and Iowa and trap shooting at the Cedar Falls Gun club.
Jack will be missed by his loving family; wife, Nancy (Stumbo)Lockett, sons, Jason Lockett (Amy Owens) of Phoenix, AZ, Justin Lockett of Cedar Falls, god son, Brock Schmidt (Marea) of New Hampton, sisters, Judy Madron of St. Anthony, MN, Carolyn Smidt (Richard) of Primghar, IA, Jeannie Haack (Cliff) of Rochester IN, sisters-in-laws- Barb Busch (Greg) of Rockford, Norma Stumbo of Phoenix, AZ, brother-in-law- Richard Stumbo (Susan) of Commerce Twp, MI, granddaughters, Tollen Lockett, Flagstaff, AZ, Taite Lockett, San Diego, CA, Owens/Bellamack family, Macy, Phoenix, AZ and Jake, Minneapolis, MN, nephews, Tom Smidt , Kevin Smidt, Fritz Haack, Judd Haack, Jamie Busch, Matt Stumbo, nieces Becky Jackson, Lisa Timm, Melissa Olson.
Jack was preceded in death by his parents, his uncles, Paul Matthews, Jerome Matthews, Robert Matthews, Herschel Lockett, Paul Lockett, Eugene Lockett.
Jack will be remembered for his pranks, off color sense of humor, dedication to family, his job and his commitment to serving.
The family will be hosting a ‘sending off’ gathering this summer as Jack will be buried at the Black Hills National Cemetery, SD.
The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Burnett of Cedar Falls, the wonderful team at Mayo Clinic and the VA for their amazing support and care during Jack’s final days.
Memorials can be directed to Waterloo’s Sullivan Hartogh Davis Cedar Valley Honor Flights (https://
