R Jay Black
R. Jay Black
1943 – 2023
R. Jay Black passed away peacefully on January 5, 2023 in American Fork, Utah following a long battle with Parkinson’s disease at the age of 79.
A funeral service to celebrate his life will be held on Saturday, January 14, 2023 at 2:00 pm in the American Fork 9th Ward Chapel, located at 673 East 300 North, American Fork, Utah. Family and friends are invited to attend a viewing on Friday evening from 6:00-8:00 pm at the American Fork 9th Ward Chapel and also at an additional viewing on Saturday afternoon from 1:00-2:00 pm prior to services at the church.
R. Jay was born August 10, 1943 in St. Anthony, Idaho to Nessie Richman and Beck Parkinson Black. He will be remembered as a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandpa, and as a master teacher, temple worker and friend to all. His greatest joys were his children and grandchildren. R. Jay grew up in Idaho, then moved to Ft. Thomas, Arizona when he was 16 years old. He has lived in Utah since 1971, most recently in American Fork (37 years).
R. Jay married the love of his life, Irene Barney, on July 22, 1967. They were married in the Mesa, Arizona temple. After 55 years, they remained a devoted, committed couple and they treasure all their memories together. Irene’s children express deep gratitude to their mother for providing attentive care to their father for over 10 years as his disease progressed. Their relationship was the epitome of true love, and they hold their eternal marriage very dear.
R. Jay rooted his life and relationships deep in gospel soil. He loved the LDS church and served in many major callings throughout his life. He also served 5 missions, including the St. Joseph Stake Mission (Arizona), the Toronto Canada mission, the Rochester New York mission, and two BYU Family History missions. His greatest possession in life was his testimony of the restored gospel. He was a dedicated scholar of the doctrines of his faith and loved the books in his extensive library. He will be remembered as a dedicated home teacher for over 50 years, never missing a month’s visit.
R. Jay believed in serving others in many capacities. He loved his country and served in the US Army during the Vietnam War, stationed in Ft. Wainwright, Alaska and Ft. Rucker, Alabama. Subsequently he spent 8 years in the Army Reserve in Pleasant Grove, Utah.
He valued education and was a student of knowledge all his life. He graduated from Ft. Thomas High School and attended 8 colleges and universities, finally earning his B.S. and M.S. degrees from BYU. He worked as a chemist/analyst/project manager for the US Defense Department at Dugway Proving Grounds for 20 years, retiring in 2005. He was given many awards and achievement certificates while at Dugway. When he retired he was given the flag which flew on the base.
R. Jay’s hobbies included reading, playing golf, working in his wood shop, camping, attending plays and movies, doing family history, writing poems, attending the temple, going to the ballet, and spending time with his grandkids. He was a handyman, and he could fix just about anything, even if he had to make a needed part in his machine shop. His favorite date night with Irene was attending the ballet (Swan Lake was his favorite) or the Hale Theater. At the age of 55 he decided to learn to play the violin, so he took lessons for several years. His choice of music was classical, and he had many CDs in his collection. While living in Alaska he earned his pilot’s license and flew all over that beautiful state.
R. Jay was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2011. As with all other serious challenges in his life, he met this last fight with patience, humility, and determination. He never complained. He had a sense of humor almost to the day he passed. Some of his aids at the care centers said he kept them in stitches because he would say and do the funniest things even when he could hardly speak. He was loved by all his aids and nurses.
Although R. Jay lost his ability to speak, write, walk, talk and care for himself due to his disease, he never lost the love he felt for his family, especially for his wife, and he also never lost his testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
He is survived by his beloved wife Irene Black, his 5 children and their spouses: Lisa Brandow (Butch), Tiffany Pierce (Jason), Alena Larson (Michael), Heather Whitworth (David), and Jay Paul (Lindsey), his 16 grandchildren, his 3 great grandchildren, his sister LeAnn Earven of Safford, Arizona, his sister-in-law, Betty Stevenson of Ft. Thomas, Arizona, and a step sister, Doris Sim of Sierra Vista, Arizona. He was preceded in death by his parents Nessie and Beck, and his brother Brent.
The family expresses deep appreciation to his many friends and neighbors for their years of friendship and support. The family also expresses gratitude for the tireless and loving caregivers and medical personnel at Dignity Hospices, Canyon Breeze Senior Living Center, and Heritage Care Center where he resided during the last 22 months of his life.
R. Jay was an extraordinary man and will leave a tremendous hole in the lives of all who knew him. His family will be eternally grateful for his exemplary life, his goodness and spiritual inclinations. We know families are forever, and we will be together again.
Funeral arrangements will be made by Warenski Funeral Home, 1776 North 900 East, American Fork, Utah. Interment will be in American Fork Cemetery: 26 West 600 North, American Fork, Utah – Veterans section.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a contribution to the General Missionary or humanitarian fund of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at at https://philanthopies.churchofjesuschrist.org