Melvin Jerry Flick, Jr., 83, died Sunday, May 26th, 2024, at The Residency Northfield Retirement Community in Scottsbluff. His funeral service will be held at 2:00pm on Friday, May 31, 2024, at The Vine United Methodist Church in Scottsbluff with Pastor Craig Collins officiating. Interment will follow the funeral services at West Lawn Cemetery in Gering, NE. Visitation will be held from 4pm – 7pm on Thursday, May 30, 2024, at Bridgman Funeral Home in Scottsbluff, NE. It is respectfully requested that in lieu of flowers, memorials in Mel’s honor be made in care of Tehama Shrine Temple in Hastings, NE and St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. Please consider planting lots of dahlias in your yard to honor Mel. Online condolences may be made by viewing Mel’s memorial page at www.bridgmanfuneralhome.com. Bridgman Funeral Home is entrusted with arrangements.
Mel was born in 1941, in Gering, NE to Melvin Jerry Flick, Sr., and Louise Frances Koncilia. He attended school and graduated from Gering High School in 1959. He obtained his teaching degree from Kearney State College. Mel taught Art at Gering Junior High School, but later operated his own gun dealership, worked with the oil business, worked in retail and business advertising. He obtained his private pilot’s license and had a love for classic cars. He was a professional photographer and has many pieces captured of landscape, animals, and local landmarks. He enjoyed creating large gardens of vegetables and flowers that he generously shared with everyone. His dahlias, his favorite flower, were recognized and pictured in a national publication. Mel’s greatest passion, however, was serving as a Shriner and helping arrange free medical care for children. Many local children have been directly assisted by his dedicated desire to secure their care at Shriners Children’s Hospitals.
Mel has missed his beautiful bride since her passing in 2022. He married Barbara Jean Cox, in Sidney, NE in 1963. As the story goes, he and his friend “picked up some student nurses” in his friend’s 1957 white Chevy convertible. The couple continued to enjoy their “drives” until Barb’s passing. This union brought sons Todd, Terry, Troy, and Tim Flick, and one daughter, Trinity (Flick) Fuss.
Mel is survived by children Todd (Suzette) Flick, Terry (Laura) Flick, Troy (Toi) Flick, Tim (Roxie) Flick and Trinity (Shawn) Fuss; sister-in-law and brother-in-law Patricia and Bill Printz; sister-in-law Sandy Flick; 15 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.
His parents; brothers; and a sister preceded him in death.
Mel’s family would like to extend their gratefulness to the amazing staff at The Residency and Brookstone Hospice.