Floyd D. “Corky” East

Floyd D. “Corky” East

June 11, 1945 – April 27, 2024

Floyd “Corky” East, 78, of Omaha, Nebraska, passed away on Saturday, April 27, 2024.

Cork was born on June 11, 1945, in Omaha Nebraska. His dad wanted to name him Floyd and got to the birth certificate filing first, but his mom wanted to name him Corky, after his aunt, who was a female wrestler. He dropped out of high school in the 9th grade and started framing houses in 1961, at the age of 16. He had a good reputation and framed homes for several Omaha area home builders.

He married Patricia “Pat” Campbell on January 29, 1965. Cork continued framing homes and working hard and in 1972, he incorporated as East Construction, becoming one of the largest custom home builders in the Omaha Metro Area. Cork developed a great organization, employing hundreds and building well over 5,000 homes. In 2008 many things changed for the building industry, and he started running Griffin Homes where he continued to work through 2023 building 250 custom homes during that time span.

Corky truly loved home building and working with all people in general. He built long lasting relationships with Land Developers, Suppliers, Subcontractors, Realtors, Bankers, and other home builders, as well as his employees and buyers. He even made friends with staff at restaurants and stores that he frequented. He took the time to talk with everyone and truly cared about people and families. He had a great work ethic, working long hours and rarely missing a workday. He was fun to work with and was greatly loved and admired by all who worked with him. A true industry leader and legend in the home building industry, contributing to the success of many others.

In 1970, as his side hobby, Cork started drag racing an alcohol funny car and ended up traveling and racing all over the country. He owned the Nebraska Motorplex in Scribner, Nebraska, for 20+ years and won several trophies. He also owned Wild Willey’s Performance in Papillion, Nebraska.

After Cork stopped racing, he began hunting. He enjoyed many hunting adventures including moose, elk, antelope, and wild hogs. He also loved waterfowl hunting. His pride was his black labrador, Ramsey, a 3-time master national hunt trial finisher. Together they spent 10 years up and down the Missouri river after ducks and geese.

He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Pat; and his daughters, Wendy Jensen Roman (Bill) and Heidi East; and granddaughters, Shelby Jensen and Karsyn Roll.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Leonard and Eunice East; and his two infant sons, Floyd Jr. and Brian East.

Cork was cremated.  Visitation will be held Tuesday, May 28th from 12-1:00 p.m. followed by a Funeral Service at 1:00 p.m.,  Heafey Hoffmann Dworak Cutler, 7805 W. Center Rd., Omaha, NE.

 

7 Comments

  • Joe Valenti Posted May 7, 2024 12:24 pm

    East family my heartfelt condolences. He was a good person.

  • Carol Kline Posted May 8, 2024 8:36 am

    Prayers for the family-

  • Kevin Maher Posted May 25, 2024 6:50 pm

    I miss Cork already. He was stopping over quite often just to talk. We had some great chats. Love ya “buddy boy”.

  • Alan Hans Posted May 25, 2024 7:59 pm

    He was one of my best friends… missed and remembered always..

  • Ed and Sandy Washa Posted May 26, 2024 8:04 pm

    Pat, Wendy, Heidi and Family: We are saddened by the news of Corky’s passing. May you all be comforted in the days ahead as his angel wings gently and softly tickle your hearts and faces with many warm memories and smiles. We are thankful and grateful for the blessing of many memories from racing, the Scribner racetrack, the three homes he helped us build and other adventures. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.

  • James and Sharon Barnes Posted July 7, 2024 9:38 pm

    My husband and I bought one of Cork’s well made house in Walnut Ridge, and it’s still our favorite home today out of the 5 that we’ve bought, including one that we had built from the ground up in Houston, TX. That home was so solid we never were concerned about our safety in it! God bless all of you and continue to grant you peace.

  • Cork Cusey Posted August 29, 2024 6:49 am

    Sad to have just come across this. I never had the chance to meet the man himself. My Dad being a big drag racer had met Corky East at his track a long time ago which he was racing at. My dad had problems with his racecar back in the day and Corky East lend him his shop to fix his car being so far from home. And that is how I was named after this man himself. I’m still trying to track down some memorabilia to remember him and have an idea of the man I was named after. My condolences to the family and friends 🧡

Sign Guestbook

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *