Frank Gerald Black

Frank Gerald Black, 91, passed away peacefully at home in Freer, Texas, with his wife by his side on Wednesday, May 15, 2024. He was born on November 9, 1932, to B. A. Black and Lillian Jackson Black Work, in Weslaco, Texas.

Gerald proudly served his country when he enlisted in the United States Air Force, in 1952, during the Korean War. While being stationed at Kirtland Air Force Base, Albuquerque, New Mexico, he met the love of his life, Nancy Brown. The Edith Street Baptist Church, in Albuquerque, is where they met and on July 15,1954 were married. They enjoyed almost 70 years of marriage.

Gerald’s summer jobs while growing up in Mirando City, were working in the oilfield. He returned to the oilfield in 1956, after his time in the Air Force, where he worked for many years. When he retired from Tesoro Petroleum Corporation, Gerald was supervisor of Lopez Field and the company’s production troubleshooter.

In 1961, Gerald moved his family to Freer, he built a house, joined the First Baptist Church and built a life there that lasted 63 years. He was very active in the church serving as a Deacon, working with the R.A.’s, driving the church van, helping with youth fundraisers, participating in the outreach to the BSU at Texas A&I (Kingsville), serving on the Board of Directors at Zephyr Baptist Youth Camp, to name only a few of his contributions. Gerald also served as a Boy Scout Leader for several years.

Gerald was known for being a “jack of all trades” because there was nothing he could not fix or build. He always enjoyed a good practical joke and a good laugh. Gerald enjoyed listening to the Astros play on the radio (watching them on TV when he could) and watching the Dallas Cowboys play football, while he did some ‘armchair’ quarterbacking. He also enjoyed fishing; camping; traveling in his RV (he and his wife traveled through 48 states in their RV); square dancing (he was also a square dance caller and teacher); playing golf; doing woodwork; and he was a really good story teller.

Gerald is preceded in death by his parents B. A. Black and Lillian Work; step-father Oscar Work; step-mother Eva Black; brothers James Black, Marion Black, and Lewis Black; sisters Jeannie Montgomery and Joy Black; brothers-in-law Bob Bailey, Roy Isaacks, and Jean Montgomery; sisters-in-law Colleen Black and Dollie Black; son-in-law Burt Diebel; daughter-in-law Wendy Black; and granddaughter Kisha (Black) Dent.

He is survived by Nancy Brown Black, his wife of 70 years; three children Judi Diebel-Farris, Steven (Glenda) Black and Keller Black; 8 grandchildren Dora (Robin) Bostater, Renee (Josh) Ransom, Mary (Doug) Reavis, Judy Black, Sabrina (Andrew, Sr.) Ortiz, Cole Black, Jesse Black and Logan Black; 12 great grandchildren Tegan, Preston, Alyia, Megan, Charlie, Skyler, Andrew, Jr., Miley, Jordan, Iris, Hunter and Eyremae; sisters Lillian Mae Bailey and Anna Bell Isaacks; sister-in-law Bessie Black; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to: Tunnel to Towers Foundation, 2361 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, NY 10306 or at https://t2t.org/donate/.

Memorial Service will be held Saturday, May 25, 2024, at 2:00 pm, at First Baptist Church, 515 E. Laredo St., Freer, Texas. Visitation with the family will at 1:00 pm, prior to the Memorial Service, in the same location. Inurnment will be at the Coastal Bend State Veterans Cemetery, 9974 I-37, Corpus Christi, Texas on July 3, 2024 at 10:00 AM.

Arrangements are entrusted to Holmgreen Mortuary, 2061 East Main Street, Alice, Texas.

Condolences for the family may be offered at www.holmgreenmortuaryinc.com and shared via Holmgreen Mortuary Facebook.

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