Jerry M. Flook, a native of Garland, and former resident of Forney, passed away after a brief illness on Tuesday, March 12, 2024. He was a graduate of SMU and taught Biological Science at the high school & college levels and was a sixth generation Texan with life long interest in family and local history. He was also a member of Sons of the Republic of Texas.
Over his lifetime, significant contributions were made by Mr. Flook to the City of Forney and Kaufman County, including membership on the Forney Chamber of Commerce, the Forney Parks & Recreation Board, the Forney City Hall Building Committee, the Forney Planning & Zoning Commission, the Forney Heritage Society, the Forney Historic Preservation League and the Kaufman County Historical Commission. He made similar contributions to the City of Garland in addition to Dallas County. He regularly contributed to two columns that appeared in the Forney Messenger, “Forney 100 Years Ago” and “Forney’s Olden Days”. In 1991, he was honored as Citizen of the Year by the Forney Area Chamber of Commerce for his service work.
Mr. Flook was passionate about Forney & Kaufman County History and authored “ Forney Country, A History of Northwestern Kaufman County, Texas”, which required extensive research by available records, newspaper clippings and in person interviews. It was published by the Forney Historic P r e s e r v a tion League in 1998 and proceeds benefited same.
Mr. Flook and his partner, Ronald G. Leslie, moved to Forney in 1983 and acquired the Dick P. Moore Home, which they painstakingly restored over the next year. Originally built in 1910, this two story, four-square style home with Classical Revival influences, is located in downtown Forney on South Bois d’Arc Street, adjacent to Bell Park where a gazebo is located, frequently used for small weddings. Over the years, the beloved historical home has been highlighted on numerous Holiday and Home tours. After the restoration was completed in full, they jointly submitted an application for an official Texas Historical Marker, which was approved, granted and erected near the home’s front entrance.
Immense gratitude is expressed to Mr. Flook for his years of civic and community service which have benefited all the citizens of the local area. Both the City of Forney and Kaufman County are recognized nationally for its explosive and substantial growth over the past five to ten years. It should be noted that Mr. Flook’s dedication to his civic and community work in Forney contributed and paved the way for its early development phases and historical preservation in the 1980’s and 1990’s.
Coffee table style copies of “FORNEY COUNTRY” are available for Sale through the Spellman Museum and will benefit the reader in learning more about the early history of the City of Forney in addition to Kaufman County. Over 400 historical photos are included and tell the story visually in addition to maps of Forney Country’s early trails & river crossings, original land surveys and landmarks. It serves as an important book that documents and educates those who wish to know more about the early history of this rapidly growing community.
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