Charles T. Black (1930-2012) "The World Wants Results Not Excuses."

Sun, 01/15/2012 - 5:22pm — Diane Dyer

Charles T. “Charlie” Black, 81 of Morgantown, Ky. passed away Saturday,January 14, 2012 at the Greenview Regional Hospital in Bowling Green, Ky. He was a Cherryville, North Carolina native and son of the late Clarence David and Dorothy Faye Grigg Black. Mr. Black was a retired Butler County High School Band Director and Mayor of Morgantown, Ky. for 34 years. He was a member of Cassia Masonic Lodge #272 F&AM, Chairman of the Board at Kentuckiana Children’s Center, one of the founders of The Green River Catfish Festival, helped develop Morgantown City Park which later became Charles T. Black City Park in honor of all of his hard work and dedication. He was preceded in death by one son Mark Black; daughter Charlotte Black; sister Dorothy Smith and brother Bill Black.

Memorial contributions may be made to Butler County Band Boosters in care of the Jones Funeral Chapel P.O. Box 414 Morgantown, Ky. 42261.

Charles T. “Charlie” Black is survived by his wife Mary Alice Black of Morgantown, Ky.; 2 daughters Jan Black Embry and husband Michael of Morgantown, Ky. and Carol Black of Cherryville, North Carolina; grandson Garrett Embry of Morgantown, Ky.; granddaughter Mary Beth Embry of Morgantown, Ky.; sister Sonja Hoyle of Cherryville, North Carolina; brother Bob Black of Lincolnton, North Carolina and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at the Eva J. Hawes Community Building at the Charles T. Black City Park Wednesday, January 18, 2012 at 4:30pm with Bro. Roger Taylor officiating. Visitation will begin on Tuesday, January 17, 2012 from 3:00pm – 8:00pm at the Jones Funeral Chapel and Wednesday, January 18, 2012 from 12:00pm until funeral time at the Eva J. Hawes Community Building at the Charles T. Black City Park. Graveside service will be held Thursday, January 19, 2012 at 10:00am at Riverview Cemetery. Masonic services will be conducted by Cassia Masonic Lodge #272 on Tuesday, January 17, 2012 at 7:00pm at the Jones Funeral Chapel. Online condolences may be made at www.jonesfuneralchapel.com.

* * *

Beech Tree News and Radio 1570 AM WLBQ (which was owned for several years by Mr. and Mrs. Black) would like to offer our readers/listeners the opportunity to share their memories of Mr. Charles T. Black. Whether you were a political contemporary, a former band student or teacher, or simply a friend, we'd like our readers to know more about Mr. Black and his profound influence on our community. Send your comments and/or photos to [email protected]. We will be posting them over the coming days.

Tags:

obituaries

news

Comments

Submitted by Kathy Beliles (not verified) on Sun, 01/15/2012 - 3:55pm

Mary Alice and Jan so sorry to hear of Charlies' passing our thoughts and prayers are with all of your family. God be your comfort in the days ahead.

Submitted by Brenda Anthony (not verified) on Sun, 01/15/2012 - 6:25pm

It's hard to believe that Mr. Black is gone. What a wonderful influence he had on my life -- still does, even now. I feel privileged to have known him and Mrs. Black. I know I speak for my Mother, Nyla Hammers Morgan, who has the greatest respect, appreciation and love for the Blacks. We send our sympathy and prayers to the family. God Bless.

Submitted by Faye W. Beckner (not verified) on Sun, 01/15/2012 - 6:52pm

MY SINCERE SYMPATHY TO MRS.BLACK AND THE FAMILY.MR BLACK WAS A WONDERFUL BAND DIRECTOR AND WAS A GOOD FRIEND TO ALL"US KIDS".HE TAUGHT A LOT OF US RESPECT FOR AUTHORITY AND OURSELVES. HE WILL BE REMEMBERED BY ALL FORMER B.C.H.S. BAND MEMBERS AND THE CITIZENS OF BUTLER CO.MAY GOD BLESS AND COMFORT HIS FAMILY.IN CHRISTIAN SYMPATHY,FAYE WILSON BECKNER-CLASS OF 1961

Submitted by Vicki &Larry Bl... (not verified) on Sun, 01/15/2012 - 7:18pm

Extending deep and heartfelt sympathy to you and your whole family. Heaven gained a magnificent band director today. God Bless,

Submitted by Walter Embry (not verified) on Sun, 01/15/2012 - 8:38pm

i want to extend my deepest sympathy to the Mrs Black and family Mr Black was one of the nicest men i ever met he was a good mayor,friend,and baseball coach. i will miss him

Submitted by Jill Radovich -... (not verified) on Mon, 01/16/2012 - 12:27am

I am so sorry to hear the news of Charlie's passing. My prayers go out to Mary and Jan and family. He was great man and a very good friend and patient of my father Dr. Radovich for many years. I always loved to sit and listen to Charlie tell his stories and thoughts on many subjects. He will be sadly missed by me and many others. Jill

Submitted by Darryl Dockery (not verified) on Mon, 01/16/2012 - 4:56am

The reason I stayed in Butler County was because of the musical talent that had been cultivated by Mr. Black. It was a blessing to be under the direction of him in class and in life.

Submitted by Lynn Gill (not verified) on Mon, 01/16/2012 - 8:14am

My thoughts and prayers are with you Jan and Family. We know there is some rejoicing going on in Heaven right now. God Bless.

Submitted by C. B. Embry, Jr. (not verified) on Mon, 01/16/2012 - 9:29am

I am very sorry of learn of Mayor Black's passing. My prayers are with his family.

Submitted by Karen Warren Matchus (not verified) on Mon, 01/16/2012 - 10:15am

Whenever asked what teacher influenced me most, I do not have to pause and think . . . Mr. Black was a teacher, mentor, and friend who continually encouraged me to work harder and play to the best of my ability. He allowed me to teach and conduct rehearsals for his clarinet section when I was a college student, thereby subtly directing me toward my first-chosen profession as an educator. Thanks to his inspiration and encouragement from fifth grade, when he assigned Bobbie Moore(Wand) to be my clarinet tutor, through my college days as a member of WKU's Big Red Band, I am still playing in three different musical groups after 56 years. I will be thinking of him during band rehearsal tonight. Thank you, my friend, for a lifetime of music!

Submitted by The Garrisons (not verified) on Mon, 01/16/2012 - 10:33am

Our thoughts and prayers are with your family during this most difficult time.

Submitted by Debby Burden-Lanham (not verified) on Mon, 01/16/2012 - 12:06pm

Such a great man! I was in band for several years under the direction of Mr. Black. I also had Mary Alice for a music teacher in grade school. Such wonderful people. I definately learned what respect meant while playing in the band because that is one thing Mr. Black expected and I feel received very easily from his band members because he also gave respect back to those that deserved it.I have many memories going through my head right now about all the influences he had on our town and community My thoughts and prayers are with his family. I can vision him now with his little white wand directing the heavenly band!! .

Submitted by Dale Willis (not verified) on Mon, 01/16/2012 - 2:19pm

I just read about the passing of Mr. Black and send out my heart felt symapthy to Mrs. Black and Jan. He will be missed but not forgoten. My prayers go out to your family.

Submitted by Debbie (not verified) on Mon, 01/16/2012 - 4:25pm

Mr. Black was a good man, I will miss him so much. He was a pleasure to take care of. So sorry Jan and family....God bless you all

Submitted by Judy Ward Johnson (not verified) on Mon, 01/16/2012 - 4:50pm

Mr. Black was a huge influence in my life in many ways. I graduated from Butler Co. High School 32 years ago but still quote him more than any teach or professor that I have ever had. I moved away from Butler Co. many years ago but occasionally when I would be back in Morgantown for something I would run into Mr. Black. He always remembered me and would remind me of some of the more questionable choices I made while I was in band! :~) I cherish the memories of my time as a Butler Co. Band Member. Mrs. Black and family, I pray that God will comfort you during your time of grief.

Submitted by Rep. C. B. Embr... (not verified) on Tue, 01/17/2012 - 7:43am

Charlie Black's service to Morgantown and Butler County will live on long, long into the future. His family is in my prayers.

Submitted by Amy Smith-Thomas (not verified) on Tue, 01/17/2012 - 9:51am

What a great man. I will miss him very much! Prayers and love to the family.

Submitted by Kathy West Taylor (not verified) on Tue, 01/17/2012 - 10:51am

Mr. Charlie Black was one of the very finest men I have known. He taught more than music. He taught how to be useful and productive adults. The contributions of Mr. Black (and also Mrs Black) to Morgantown and Butler County are too numerous to count. Thank God for people like Charlie Black. Mrs. Black and family, We love you and have you in our prayers. Dan and Kathy West Taylor

Submitted by Kingery Family (not verified) on Tue, 01/17/2012 - 11:06am

Our thoughts and prayers are with Mr.Blacks family. He was a dear friend to our family. We all know hes in a better place with his loved ones and friends that he has lost. God be with his family through his passing.

Submitted by Richard Spiekhout (not verified) on Tue, 01/17/2012 - 5:20pm

Mary Alice, My thoughts are with you and I am sorry for your loss. Charlie was one of the best and it is a loos for everyone that knew him. Please stay well and I will come to see you this spring when I come in. Richard Spiekhout

Submitted by Allen Meredith (not verified) on Wed, 01/18/2012 - 1:08am

Charlie Black is the man responsible for the improvement of countless lives in our community. Like any innovator of change he had some who criticized and resisted the progress that he envisioned. When Charlie started the work on the city park there were some who couldn't visualize the benefits that would come from it. There are very few who can deny the commerce and good that it now provides the community and our children. He built a building for industry with a Field of Dreams attitude and recruited Sumitomo to provide jobs for hundreds. He worked tirelessly to bring industry and jobs to Morgantown, the community that he loved. Charlie helped city employees by including them in the County Employee Retirement System so that employees could plan for their future after retirement and have a decent health care plan. Charlie was a visionary. His input and work live on in the lives that he has touched both now and in future generations. I am proud to have known Charlie Black. My heartfelt condolences to his family.

Submitted by Sarah Williams (not verified) on Wed, 01/18/2012 - 3:40pm

"The World Wants Results, Not Excuses!" If It Weren't For Mr. Black, There Never Would Have Been A Band Program Started At Butler County High School (Started Back In The 50's)! I Wouldn't Have Had Such An Amazing Freshman Experience. I Probably Wouldn't Have Ever Met Some Of The Amazing People I've Grown To Love In Band. Not To Mention, Mrs. Embry Never Would Have Been My 4th Grade Language Arts Teacher. I Am Truly Grateful For Former Mayer Black! He Will Be Missed.

Submitted by Anna-Laura Hocker (not verified) on Fri, 01/20/2012 - 1:42pm

If there is one segment of my life I could revisit, it would be the band years. Mr. Black was with us from 5th grade until high school graduation. There was no other educational experience like being in his band. I love all my band friends to this day; we were the coolest! We learned to truly appreciate music, leadership, each other, and the joy of living a productive life. I will never forget driving Mark around or helping fix Jan's hair. Mary Alice worked with many of us in MES chorus too. Words cannot express the love I have for the entire Black family.

Submitted by Byron Gibbs (not verified) on Sun, 02/12/2012 - 5:04pm

A great man. Cared for all of us deeply. Wanted the very best for us and from us. Led as a band director, teacher, and community leader. We are better citizens and the world is a better place because of the life of Charles Black. The memory and influence lives on through each of us whose life he impacted.