BLACK, Clyde E. 1919-2011

BLACK

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 2/22/2023 at 11:06:44

Clyde E. Black
(October 28, 1919 - September 27, 2011)

Northwood Anchor, Northwood, Iowa, Wed., Sep 28, 2011, p.9
Clyde E. Black, 91, of Tucson, Ariz., formerly of Northwood, died in the Casa de la Luz Hospice Facility in Tucson, Ariz., on Sept. 27, 2011. Clyde lived his last days surrounded by his three loving daughters.
Clyde was born Oct. 28, 1919, to Oliver and Lydia (Stockstill) Black in Annut, Mo. His family moved from Missouri to a farm near Atwater, Ill., in 1927 where he attended rural schools. At the height of the Depression, he had the opportunity to work in the Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC). He worked on various construction projects in national and state parks, spending two and one half years at Starved Rock State Park in northern Illinois as well as a park in Oregon. After his CCC experience, he went to work helping to build Fort Leonard Wood Army Base. In 1942 he started working at the Litchfield, Ill. creamery. During this time, he met his future wife, Sadie Halford. They were married on March 28, 1943. They had three daughters and one son, Donald, who passed away in July 1970 at age six. In February 1955, Clyde and Sadie moved their family from Illinois to Iowa. They lived near Clyde’s brother, William Black and family, just south of Northwood, Iowa. They then moved to a farm near Hanlontown, Iowa, for two years before moving back to Northwood. While living in Northwood, Clyde worked as a mechanic for Ingebritson Motors, then Methus Implement before becoming director of transportation for the Northwood-Kensett Community School District. Clyde worked in Northwood for 19 years. While there, he made many close friends, was quite well known and even ran for the Northwood Sheriff position at one point. Clyde’s best friend was Allen Low, who died in July 2009. Clyde was deeply honored to be an honorary pall bearer for Allen. Clyde and Sadie were members of First Lutheran Church where Clyde was baptized in 1960. In 1974, they left Northwood when Clyde became the director of transportation for the North Scott County School District in Eldridge, Iowa. Northwood remained a special place in their hearts, where they returned for visits many times after moving away. At age 62, Clyde was diagnosed with throat cancer. He chose to retire at that time (1981) because of his extensive radiation treatments and uncertain health outcome. He did recover and Clyde and Sadie traveled extensively in their RV, visiting every state. They also traveled to many countries, including Germany, England, Italy, Switzerland, France, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica, Columbia and Panama. In 2001 they moved from Iowa to Tucson, Ariz., where Clyde and Sadie lived in their home in Sun City Vistoso until moving to the Country Club of LaCholla, a retirement community. They were members of Resurrection Lutheran Church, Oro Valley, Ariz. On June 29, 2011, Clyde lost his loving wife, Sadie, after 68 years of marriage. Clyde is survived by his three daughters, Debra Arrett of Oro Valley, Ariz., JoAnne Skillicorn (John) of Mora, Minn., and Joyce Bassett (Teddy) of Cary, N. C.; his grandchildren, Lisa Arrett of Fargo, N.D., Michael (Emily) Arrett of Salt Lake City, Utah, Bradley (Kelly) Skillicorn of Winona, Minn., and Jill (Todd) Bachmann of Vancouver, Wash., Jeffrey (Denise) Bassett of Scottsdale, Ariz., and Lori (Chris) Boyd of Raleigh, N.C.; six great grandchildren, Amanda Bassett, Anni Skillicorn, Reagan Boyd, McKenna Boyd, Henry Bachmann and Emmett Bachman; one brother, Eugene Black; as well as many nieces, nephews and friends. Clyde was preceded in death by his wife, Sadie; his parents, Oliver and Lydia Black, his son, Donald; four brothers, Wilson, Aubrey, William and Alvin Black; and his sister, Thelma Pence. Clyde is being cremated. Clyde and Sadie’s ashes will be interned at Sunset Rest Cemetery in Northwood, Iowa, at a later date.