Jack Black

Jack was welcomed by his heavenly family on Palm Sunday, April 2, 2023, while receiving excellent care at the Clyde W. Cosper Veteran's Home. He began his life's journey on February 6, 1933, in St Joseph, MO., the eldest son of Fred and Alberta (Richey) Black. Pastor Dana Coker will preside over funeral services that will be held Saturday, April 8 at 1 pm at Bonham United Methodist Church, 801 Star Street, Bonham TX. The church will be broadcasting the service online. Arrangements and assistance are provided by Wise Funeral Home. Viewing and an opportunity to visit with the family at the church will begin at 11:30 am just prior to the formal service. Military Honors and Masonic graveside services will follow at Lamasco Cemetery.

Jack spent virtually all his school years in St. Joseph, and it was during that Great Depression era that he received the foundation for the rest of his life: a strong work ethic, a sense of duty, square dealing. He was exposed to hard work early as his family was tenant farming on a tobacco farm….and he never used any form of tobacco as a result. He worked in one of the area's many packing houses, and as his father had begun a career in golf course installation and maintenance, he was exposed to some fundamental knowledge that he would one day prove of great value to him. During his high school years at Benton High School, he became an accomplished football player making the All-State team. In 1953 Jack entered the U.S. Army, and eventually he was deployed to South Korea. He served his country for an additional 6 years after his discharge in 1955. That Fall he enrolled in CU in Boulder, CO, and it was there he would meet his companion for the rest of his life, Mary. They married on September 8, 1956. Jack began to make use of a skill learned in high school, drafting. He quickly became a skilled Tools Designer. The family grew with the arrival of daughter Vanessa, and after moving to Dallas son Gregg arrived. Jack was establishing a promising career with Prudential, and Mary began working in the personnel department at Braniff Airways. After a couple of years, when it was decided Mary needed to be with the children, her boss recruited Jack into Braniff's Sales and Marketing team, a career that lasted for the next 20 years, and would afford the family many pleasurable travels, experiences and memories. After the demise of Braniff, Jack fell back on skills learned in his youth, as he began a lawn and landscape business, Jack of All Blades, LLC, where he would complete his full-time working years. Jack had many enjoyable pastimes including fishing and hunting, raising cattle, and working with his tractor on a weekend farm, golf, wood carving-especially making walking sticks. He continued a life of service to his community, as he was a Mason, a Past Master of James A. Smith Lodge #395. He was a member of Farmers Branch chapter #687 OES, serving as Worthy Patron 5 times. He was a Scottish Rite Mason and a member of Hella Shrine. Over the years he had been a Webelo leader and Scout Master even arranging at one time to take the scouts of Circle 10 on a charter trip to the Boundary Canoe Waters in Ely, MN. He coached Little League baseball, helped Mary as she worked with Girl Scouts and during a 35-year residency in Farmers Branch built a neighborhood reputation as the go-to Mr. Fix-It of the neighborhood. You would often find him working with his church on their local humanitarian efforts.

Jack leaves behind his wife Mary, daughter Vanessa White and her husband Steve of
Telephone, Grandson Corey (Nichole) White of Telephone, Grandson Kyle (Stephanie) of Krum,
Granddaughter Jaclyn White of Telephone, Great-Grandchildren Kade, Jackson, Cheyenne and
Sawyer White.

He was preceded in death by his parents, siblings Margie, Leonard and Hallard, and son Gregg
Jeffery Black.

Jack and Mary moved to Bonham, Tx in 2019 to enjoy the benefits of small-town living. The family wishes to express deep gratitude and appreciation for the compassion, friendship and efforts of First United Methodist Church of Bonham, the excellent care provided by his many physicians, Clyde W. Cosper Veteran's Home, as well as the local VA and their support staff.

A Bag of Tools by R. L. Sharpe

Isn't it strange That princes and kings,
And clowns that caper In sawdust rings,
And common people Like you and me
Are builders for eternity?
Each is given a bag of tools,
A shapeless mass, a book of rules;
And each must make—Ere life is flown—
A stumbling block Or a steppingstone.
An all-around "good guy" he was a Good Man who made many stepping stones
DONATIONS IN LIEU OF FLOWERS MAY BE MADE TO THE SCOTTISH RITE CHILDREN'S
HOSPITAL, DALLAS, OR REBA'S RANCH HOUSE, SHERMAN