January 30, 1935 – February 4, 2016
Paul Dean Black passed away February 4, 2016 surrounded by his family. He was 81 years old. Paul was born in Cortez, Colorado on January 30, 1935 to Paul James Black and Martha Mae Helquist Black. Paul was the fifth of nine children. He met the love of his life, Jannett McDonald, while he was attending BYU in Provo. They were married on July 27, 1956. In 1957 he graduated from BYU with a degree in Accounting. After graduation they moved to Monticello Utah where he and his brothers bought Black Oil Company from their father.
Their son Mark Duane Black was born while they lived there. After a year in Monticello they settled in Blanding, Utah and continued working with his brothers. Their daughter Michele was born while they lived in Blanding. For most of his life he and his brothers were in the wholesale and retail gasoline business which included operating several stations in the four corners area. Later Paul sold his share of Black Oil Company to his brother and acquired the Kayenta Arizona gas station and operated it until he retired. He made many friends among the people and employees on the Navajo Reservation.
In 1972 the family moved to Monticello where they spent the next 21 years. In 1993 he and Jannett moved to St. George, Utah to be near their daughter and family.
Paul enjoyed sitting on his patio in the early mornings. He and Jannett enjoyed watching the wild life and feeding the wild rabbits. Paul had a love for bike riding and enjoyed many rides with his grandchildren. He enjoyed reading, coin collecting, and flying small airplanes. He loved to travel. He loved to go to the movies. He enjoyed jeep club with good friends and in later years he enjoyed going in his RV with his good friends Reed and Gaylene Hurst. He loved people and was fortunate enough to have many lifelong friends.
He loved his family and spending time with his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. They were the most important thing to him. He was extremely generous and would do anything to help someone. Paul suffered for many years with a bad back and was in a lot of pain but he never complained.
Although he will be deeply missed we know that he has returned home to be with his sweet wife “Janessa” and that is just where he wants to be.
He is survived by his son Mark Duane (Joleen) Black, Pukalani, Hawaii and his daughter Michele (James) Stewart, Diamond Valley, Utah, 8 grandchildren , Veronica Black, Valerie (Edmond) O’Donnell, Margaret “Maggie” Black, Kristopher (Mechelle) Trujillo, Maegan (Joshua) Barnum, Ashley (Aaron) Heaton, Skylar (Kallie) Stewart, Jennafre (Davis) Anderson, 17 great grandchildren, Treven, Aidan, Chayton, Bryce, Kyrie, Asher, Elijah, Luke, Beckett, Naomi, Joaquin, Eloise, Logan, Cella, McKinley, Fredrick “Freddie” & Edmond “Eddie” .
He is also survived by his sisters Ann (Lloyd) Roper of Payette Idaho and Jessie Black of Meridian, Idaho. Brother-in-laws, Rex Nielson, Blanding, Utah, Steven (Angie) McDonald , Provo Utah , Donald (Rodetta) McDonald Provo, Utah, John Madsen, Orem Utah. Sister-in-laws Colleen Black, Sandy Utah and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, parents, brothers Dorman, Keith, Jim, Johnny, sisters Allie Nielson, Carolyn Black.
The family would like to give a special thanks to Rick Gullotto, Jason Olsen and Rose Castillo of Zion’s Way Hospice and wonderful staff and friends at Sterling Court. We would also like to thank Keith Shumway for his continued visits and lifelong friendship.
Funeral Services
- Saturday, February 13, 2016 at Noon in the Spilsbury Mortuary Chapel, 110 S. Bluff, St. George, Utah.
- There will be a viewing Saturday from 9:30-11:30 a.m. prior to the services at the mortuary.
- Interment will take place in the Tonaquint Cemetery.
Arrangements are made under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary, (435) 673-2454. Friends and family are invited to sign Paul’s guestbook at www.spilsburymortuary.com.