Mathias "Fred" Nock Jr.

Mathias Frederick “Fred” Nock, Jr., 80, passed away May 21, 2020.  Memorial services will be held at 2:00 pm on Wednesday, May 27, 2020, at Krestridge Funeral Home Chapel.

He was born to M.F. “Matt” Sr. and Edna Tiroff Nock in Alice, Texas on July 21, 1939.  Fred was confirmed in the Catholic faith with his two brothers, Charles and Alvin.  He spent his childhood in south Texas until his teenage years when the family moved to the rural area of west Texas and Levelland.

Fred graduated valedictorian of Pettit High School in 1958.  He received his Associate of Arts Degree from South Plains College in 1962, which was the 4 ^th graduating class of South Plains College.

After college, Fred worked for the Levelland Daily Sun-News in the circulation department which started his interest in the printing business.

Fred joined the National Guard and received an Honorable Discharge in 1977 after serving for two years.  He married Shirley Marks of Morton on June 9, 1963.  They had three children, Mathias Frederick “Freddie” Nock III, Lucretia Nock Gresham and Christopher Nock.

His mother was a concert level pianist.  Edna Nock passed away when Fred was a young man and he had a lifelong affection for her and often reminisced about her and her life.  A friend framed a piece of her sheet music and it meant a lot to him.

The Nock and Tiroff families were of German descent.  Fred often told friends that his Grandfather Tiroff helped build many churches in Texas, German and Czech communities.  He kept in contact with his mother’s family throughout the years.  Fred, along with cousins Jerry and Ed, organized the Tiroff family reunion in Vernon, Texas in the mid-1980’s.  Fred printed a memory booklet featuring old-time photographs as souvenirs for everyone.

Fred and Shirley opened and operated Nock’s Print Shop and Office Supply on the square in Levelland.  They later purchased a local newspaper and changed the name to Hockley County Free-Press.  The local newspaper originated in 1976 and was sold to Stephen Henry in 1979.

Fred and Nock’s Print Shop became well known in the area for their expertise as a printer.  His four-color brochures were sought after in an age before computerized printing.  Alvin was Fred’s right-hand in the business on the square for many ears, and his chief press mechanic was his father, Matt Nock.  Longtime employees were Marie Kiser, Nikki Hodge, Frances Snow, Kim Stark, and Cecilia Salazar, the bookkeeper.

He had many long business associations with Bill Griggs, publisher of the Reminiscing and Rockin’ 50s magazine.  These magazines were printed and distributed at Buddy Holly events to rock ‘n roll fans worldwide.

Fred printed the South Plains College Texans basketball programs for many years as well as other brochures and business documents.  He not only printed the programs for Little Dribblers from the mid-70’s until his retirement in 2015, he also sold ads for the programs.  Many area football programs were printed by Nock’s Print Shop as well as many other area business needs.  Gray Wireline was the last business Fred conducted business for, printing business cards, invoices and field tickets.

Fred could often be found at the Levelland Senior Citizen’s Center.  He enjoyed visiting and catching up with old friends.  Fred was happiest in a boat on a good fishing lake, an activity he especially enjoyed with his brothers, sons, and grandsons Coleman Nock and Layton Thorpe.

He is survived by his children, MF “Freddie” (Kristina) Nock III, Lucretia (Shannon) Gresham, and Christopher Nock, all of Levelland; grandchildren, Megan O’Connor, Coleman Nock, Layton (Marissa) Thorpe, Tucker and Kallie Nock; great grandson, Logan Thorpe; brother Alvin (Brenda) Nock; 5 nephews, 1 niece, and a crowd of business and personal friends.

Arrangements are under the direction and personal care of the professionals at Krestridge Funeral Home.  (806) 897-1111