Fred Allen Lockwood

Fred Allen Lockwood, born April 13, 1940, in Odessa, Nebraska, to Thorval J. and Margaret (Schanou) Lockwood passed away February 15, 2026. Services will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, February 28, 2026, at the Vine United Methodist Church in Scottsbluff, Nebraska with Pastor Craig Collins officiating. Memorials may be made to Vine United Methodist Church, Scottsbluff, NE; Legacy of the Plains Museum, Gering, NE; or the Western Nebraska Community College Foundation, Scottsbluff, NE. 

He grew up in Gering with his sisters Genene Morrison, Linda Abbott, and Andrea Johnson. He graduated from Gering High School in 1958 and from the University of Denver in 1961.As a young boy, Fred was active in Scouting, earning his Eagle Scout Award in 1954. He later served as President of the Longs Peak Council of the Boy Scouts of America and proudly watched sons Jon and Chad earn their own Eagle Scout honors.

He married Connie Zitterkopf in Gering, and together they welcomed Jon and Tracy. Fred served in the Nebraska Army National Guard from 1962–1965 and continued in the Army Reserves as a First Lieutenant in the Finance Corps until 1969.

Fred began his accounting career in 1964 after purchasing Felix Taylor’s practice in Mitchell. The business grew into Fred A. Lockwood, PC starting in 1976. In 1977, Carol Hilyard joined as a partner. Together with the help of son Troy Hilyard and other partners, the firm expanded across Nebraska and Wyoming, offering accounting, technology, and investment services. Fred also founded FALCO Financial Services, where he specialized as a Personal Financial Specialist and continued serving clients until shortly before his passing.

Over his 50‑year career, Fred earned deep respect in his profession, serving on the Nebraska Society of CPAs Board of Directors, chairing several committees, receiving the Society’s Public Service Award, and serving on the Nebraska State Board of Public Accountancy from 1980–1984.

Public service was important to him, prompting his entrance into races for U.S. Senate in 1984 and for the U.S. House of Representatives in 1990. He chaired the Scotts Bluff County Republican Party, served as a delegate to four Republican National Conventions, was elected Scotts Bluff County Commissioner, served on the Nebraska State Board of Education, and was a founding member of the Nebraska Economic Forecasting Board, where he served for 32 years.

An entrepreneur at heart, Fred was also involved in several businesses, including an oil‑drilling company, Panhandle Concrete, Panhandle Rail Car, and American Mortgage Company of North Platte. He also briefly served as President of Gering National Bank. He had his own version of a neighborhood paper route, delivering newspapers from his neighbors’ driveways to their front doors each morning—sometimes even retrieving an errant throw from a roof before sunrise.

In 1980, Fred married Carol Hilyard, adding Troy and Chad to the family. Fred and Carol loved to travel and cherished trips made with their children and grandchildren, —visiting Alaska’s “Last Frontier” in 2014 and later experiencing the culture of Iceland. Over the years they and often Carol’s sisters and their husbands explored England, Ireland, France, and Spain by train, and eventually they all enjoyed the ease of cruising. They loved supporting their children’s and grandchildren’s many activities and accomplishments.

Fred had a dry, quick‑witted sense of humor and a smile that could light up a room. He was bright, insightful, and witty, known for his love of trivia and his remarkable photographic memory.

Deeply involved in his community, Fred served with the Nebraska State Chamber of Commerce, Nebraska Community Foundation, West Nebraska General Hospital Board of Trustees, Twin City Development Corporation, Scottsbluff Rotary, the local Chamber of Commerce, United Way, and youth sports programs. He was an active member of the United Methodist Church in both Gering and Scottsbluff and frequently served on the finance committee.

He was preceded in death by his parents, former in‑laws and one nephew.

He is survived by his wife, Carol; his children Jon (Vicki) Lockwood of Omaha, Nebraska; Tracy (Todd) Schoenhofer of Andover, Kansas; Troy Hilyard (Tracy Schweich) of Scottsbluff, Nebraska; and Chad (Jennifer) Hilyard of Centennial, Colorado; grandchildren Taylor (Nicole) Lockwood, Casie Hilyard, Ashley Hilyard, Cade Schoenhofer, Brett Schoenhofer, Olivia Hilyard, and Emersen Hilyard; Tyler (Christina) McNair, Tucker McNair, Kelsey Schweich, Karley( Lehi) Rodriquez; three great‑grandchildren; sisters Genene (Stuart) Morrison, Linda Abbott, and Andrea (Steve) Johnson; brothers‑ and sisters‑in‑law Jerry & Mary Patterson and Dick & Pam Skersick; and many nephews and nieces.

Fred was a trusted advisor, loyal friend, and dedicated professional. His wisdom and kindness left a lasting impact on all who knew him. His legacy lives on in his family, his community, and the many lives he touched throughout his remarkable life.