Gainesville, VA – Charles Ray Black, 73, passed away on June 14, 2020, at his residence.
He was born Sept. 11, 1946, in McDunn, WV, son of the late James and Mildred Black.
He graduated from Montgomery High School. Upon graduation he was employed with Ironworkers Local Union 201 in Washington, DC, as a Rodman. He achieved the position of Superintendent installing post tensioning cables in bridges and highrise buildings and traveled extensively throughout his career. He retired from VSL Corporation in 2008. He was an avid golfer and a member of the Elks Golf and Country Club in Lewisburg. He was a Elks Member of Lodge 1758 and received the Elk of the Year award in 2014. He also served in the U.S. Army in Vietnam from 1968-1970 with an honorable discharge. He was awarded two Purple Hearts, two Bronze Stars and numerous other medals for his acts of bravery while serving in Vietnam.
He is survived by his loving wife of 47 years, Rebecca; son, Derek Black and daughter, Alicia Nalls; daughter-in-law, Jill Black and son-in-law, Lynn Nalls; brother, James Black and sister-in-law, Pat Black of Florida; sister, Betty Karst of Columbia, SC; sister, Charlotte Cordle of Rutledge, TN; Kenneth Black and sister-in-law, Debbie Black of Dallas, TX; brother, Alvin Black and sister-in-law, Carol Black of Aiken, SC; his grandson Lance and his three granddaughters Sydney, Emmalise, and Natalie; and many nieces and nephews.
A Memorial Service is scheduled for Aug. 1 at 2 p.m. at Haymarket Baptist Church, 14800 Washington Street, Haymarket, VA 20169.
In lieu of flowers, the family ask that donations in his memory be made to www.IPFFoundation.org to support IPFF in the name of Charles Black.