Ace Lock

Alfred “Ace” James Lock, 80 of Malvern, Arkansas passed away peacefully in his sleep on Wednesday, January 29, 2025. Ace was born on September 15, 1944 in Manning, Arkansas to Ira and Ossie Lock. 

He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings: Don Lock, William “Bill” Lock, Susie Lock, Freddie Lock, Iradell Lock, Ida Lock, nephews, nieces, and cousins. 

If you knew him personally, there was not a math problem that Ace could not solve. A graduate of A.A. Wilson High School, Class of 1966 where he was titled as the best running back of all time for the Dragons, Ace was an all-around athlete in any sport. He excelled in football; earning him a scholarship to Grambling State University. Ace was later drafted into the Army in May of 1968. He was an Airplane Electrician until his honorable discharge in August 1976. He worked at the Pine Bluff Arsenal and the U.S. Postal Office for many years to provide for his family. He later worked and retired from Precision Industries. 

He often made jokes about the hardest job of his retirement which was checking the mail for his money. He was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, uncle, cousin and friend to many in the community and surrounding towns. He would often sing songs, talk mess, tell stories or tall tales about things growing up in his childhood, military stories, and often giving a history lesson as he told the story. 

He accepted Christ at an early age and later in life developed a choir with New Directory Church that he sung in for many years. After retirement he joined Men of Malvern for Christ Choir and traveled all over Arkansas singing the gospel. Ace would sing at work, to his wife, children and anyone that would listen. Ace’s family loved to fight over who was his favorite. He took great joy in secretly letting whoever was in the room know that they were really his favorite. He will be missed and forever in our hearts and memories.

Ace could always be found in his favorite chair watching old Western TV shows and Gunsmoke was most likely the one. His fondness of music was shown through his old school record player while listening to Barry White. When his health permitted, he was an avid fisherman and enjoyed being outdoors. 

Ace leaves to cherish his memories the love of his life; wife, Rita Lock, whom he married on August 4,1990 after years of courtship, daughters Ericka Lock of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Tanesha Buckley, Serena Preston, and Camilla Hunter (Billy) of Malvern, AR, eight grandchildren( Ira I Lock, David D. Mclaurin, Ossie M. Mclaurin, Takara N. Mclaurin, Alaysia Hunter, Devin Langston, Brayden Hunter, Sierra Watkins), thirteen great grandchildren and one great great grandchild. Memories are also embedded in the hearts of his sister, Shirley Lock, and his brother, Miles Lock, nieces, nephew, cousins and a host of friends.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Friday, February 7th, at 11am at the Regency Funeral Home Chapel, with Pastor Henry Mitchell officiating. 

Arrangements are made by Regency Funeral Home. You may sign the guestbook at regencyfuneralhome.com.