John Paul Black

John Paul Black, surrounded by family, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on September 17, 2013. Visitation will be September 19th from 6:00-8:00pm at Piersall Benton Funeral Home, 733 Butternut Street. Services will be at 1:00pm, Friday, September 20th at Minter Lane Church of Christ, 2502 Minter Lane with burial to follow at Elmwood Memorial Park.


John was born on August 12, 1942 in Gordon, TX to John and Clarice Black. He grew up in Abilene, graduating from Cooper High School and attended ACC. He worked for Lockheed Aeronautics in California where he received a Commendation for the work he did on Viking Missile III program that went to Mars. Some of the parts he made are still there. He worked for Otis Engineering in Dallas when he was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 1969 and continued to work until he took Medical Disability in 1978. He was a member and Deacon of Minter Lane Church of Christ and graduated from Bible Study Fellowship. He served in the 36th Infantry and the 112th Armor Division of the Texas National Guard. He was on the Mission Committee and worked with several missionaries to maintain their email lists and distribute their newsletters.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a son John Bryan Black, a step-daughter Cheryl Denise Roach and step-grandson Christian Cole Black. He is survived by wife Carol Ann Black and granddaughter Cleo Marie Black of Dallas, step-children Carolyn Newton and husband Larry of Baird, Eddie Black and wife Sue of Abilene, Steven Black of Clyde; grandchildren, Sarah Trevino and husband Cody of Wichita Falls, David Newton of El Paso, Geb Black and wife Amy of Spokane, Washington, Jamie Buse and husband Vern of Abilene, Jonathan Roach and wife Kristy of Abilene, Jacob Black, Joshua Black and wife Paige of Ft. Benning, Georgia, Jeremiah Black of Forney, Brody Black of Abilene and Steveanna Black of Abilene. 13 great-grandchildren, sister Martha Vittrup and husband Tom of Duncanville, brothers, Ealy Black and wife Mary of Cisco, Loran Black and wife Anita of Arlington, sister-in-law Marlene Harris of Garland, niece, Dee Chandanais and husband Bob, great-niece, Rachel Chandanais of Highland Village.

Memorials can be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

On line condolences may be offered to the family at www.pbfuneraldirectors.com.