Samuel Block

Samuel “Kenneth” Block, 96, of Abilene, passed from this life on Friday, October 24, 2025, in Abilene. Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, October 31, 2025, at the Texas State Veterans Cemetery with Randy Estes officiating. Services are under the direction of The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road. Kenneth was born on October 22, 1929, in Roosevelt, Oklahoma, to Samuel & Effie Jewel Watson Block. He graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1947. He and Mary Helen McFarland were married on September 16, 1951, in Hobart. Kenneth and Mary Helen moved to Abilene in 1964.

Kenneth grew up in Oklahoma, living through all the hardships we hear as clichés about the Great Depression. His folks really did hang meat in his bedroom because it was so cold. Before he could even reach the pedals of the tractor, he and his sister would drive it down the hill to fetch water; they had no running water. His family did not have electricity until after he joined the Air Force.

He spent the first part of his adult life serving our country in the U.S. Air Force for over 23 years. He was recognized as the Honor Graduate for his NCO Preparatory Class and as Master Instructor. He served in various capacities on the KC-135 aircraft, including electrical instructor, crew chief, and debriefer. He retired as a Master Sergeant, earning the Air Force Commendation Medal and the Air Force Commendation Medal Oak Leaf Cluster along the way.

Upon retiring from the service, he continued a life of service by becoming a fireman and policeman for the City of Abilene at the airport. He loved his airport job. One of his favorite things to do was to take the crash truck to a field that was to the side of the airport entrance road. If one were lucky enough to witness this activity, one would see that huge, bright green truck pivot its water cannon from side to side, spraying a big plume of water. He was watering a big field of blue bonnets…. It was not in his job description; he just liked doing it and felt pride at seeing his blue bonnets every spring. He was an avid deer and dove hunter. Kenneth loved playing dominoes. It was aggravating playing with him because on every hand after a very short time he would know what dominoes everyone at the table held. He seldom lost unless he wanted to. His final domino game was a few weeks before he passed away with two of his great-grandsons. They challenged him every chance they got from the time they were very young.

Even until the day before he died, he always had a big smile and laugh for his kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids.

Kenneth was preceded in death by his wife Mary Helen, son Donald Block, his parents, his daughter-in-law, Lisa Block, and two sisters, Betty Truet and Dorothy Hillard, and one brother, Vernon Block. Kenneth is survived by

daughter, Deborah Stephenson, and her husband Gary of Abilene; six grandchildren, Misty Jackson and her husband Glenn, David Stephenson and his wife Lindsay, Stephanie Moncla and her husband Aaron, Tiffany Conder and her husband Micah, Chelsea Howard Block and Chris Garcia, and Kristopher West; and ten great-grandchildren, Brendan Jackson, Ethan Jackson, Piper Stephenson, Lainey Stephenson, Amelia Stephenson, Blake Moncla, Bryson Moncla, Talen Conder, Bennett Block, and Anderson Block.

The family of Kenneth Block wishes to extend our sincere thanks and love to caregiver Mary Myers, caregivers and nurses of Beehive Assisted Living, the Veterans Administration, Alpha Omega Hospice, and Integra Health Care. Family suggests memorials be made to the Victory Church, 2943 S. 6th, Abilene, Texas 79605.