"Special thoughts Lola And to your whole family love Karen and Dave Vittetoe"
In loving memory of
Douglas Black
March 7, 1959 - July 3, 2016
Douglas Alan Black, age 57, of Donna Texas, passed away on July 3, 2016 following a 6 month battle to recover from complications of multiple spider bites that occurred when Doug stepped down off the tractor into a nest of spiders during his daily work routine.
Doug was born on March 7, 1959 in Washington, IA. He was the son of the late Orin Black and Lola Black Arbogast. He attended school in Washington, IA until his Junior year when he moved to Sigourney, IA where he graduated from High School. Doug married Terri Utterback in Sigourney, IA. They had two children, Jeremy and Katie. They later divorced. In October 2009, Doug married Cindy Dillon of Donna, TX and made his home there for the remainder of his life.
Doug worked for the Mahaska County Farm Service until 1989. He then worked for Crop Production Services in the Oskaloosa, Iowa area until 1997. He sold drainage tile until 2009 when he married and moved to Donna, TX where Doug worked alongside his wife to manage their bed and breakfast and a large hay and farming operation. Doug was well respected and deeply cared for by his friends, clients and farmhands in the Donna, Texas area. He leaves behind many strong and happy memories for all that knew him. He will be greatly missed for many years to come.
Doug was an avid Hawkeye fan. He was a talented, all round athlete during his High School years. He played basketball, was an excellent wrestler, his 4 x 100 relay team set a record that still stands at Sigourney and Coach Chuck Henry says that Doug was the best blocking back he ever had on the football team. He loved supporting his children's sporting endeavors as they developed their own interests. He loved cheering for Jeremy during his wrestling career and he also loved horses so helping Katie as she competed in horse show events brought him great pleasure. He also loved being a grandfather of his 6 precious grandchildren. Doug looked forward each year to the family tradition of spending the labor day weekend at the Skunk River camping and fishing with his brothers and nephews. Each year created more memories and fishing "tales" to share for the coming year.
He is survived by his wife, Cindy Black of Donna, TX; son, Jeremy Black and wife Anne of Cedar Rapids, IA; daughter, Katie Shelton and husband John of Bedford, IA; 5 grandsons, Waker, Holden, Conrad, Cole & Clay and 1 granddaughter, Macy. Mother, Lola Arbogast of Wayland, IA; 8 brothers; Denny and wife Laura of Alpha, Ill; Mike and wife Bev of Washington, IA; Bill and wife Sherry of Washington, IA; Larry of Iowa City, IA; Steve and wife Denise of Webster, IA, Gary and wife Jackie of Ankeny, IA, Tom and wife Deb of Washington, IA; Brad and wife Bonnie of Sigourney, IA. Step mother, Jean Black of Washington, IA. mother in Law, Margaret Dillon of Donna, TX, sister in law, Stacy Minns of San Antonio, TX and brother in law, Steve Dillon of McAllen, TX. Step brother Harold Arbogast and wife Theresa of Brighton, IA, step sister, Judy Teel of Coppock, IA. and Many nieces and nephews.
Doug was preceded in death by his father, Orin Black, step father, Max Arbogast, Mick Arbogast, step daughter, Amanda Dillon, and his maternal and paternal grandparents.
A celebration of life will be held at 10:30 am on Saturday, July 16, 2016 at the Bethel Mennonite Church on the Wayland Road south of Washington. Local Pastor, Scott Johnson will officiate the service. The family will receive friends from 9:30 am until the service.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established to help with the catastrophic medical expenses. Contributions for Doug's funeral services can be mailed or dropped by McCaleb Funeral Home, 900 W. 4th St., Weslaco, Texas 78596
Funeral arrangements are under the care of McCaleb Funeral Home of Weslaco, TX.
Tributes
"I am so very sorry for your loss. The family lived behind us in Brighton for many years, we had a lot of fun playing baseball and football. Our Doug also passed first. my prayers are with you
Brenda Harris Lisk Ragen"
"Dear Dear Dear Bev, Mike, Sherri and Bill, (and family)
I remember babysitting with the younger boys in the country. Doug was always the one trying to keep the wild bunch from going too far in any endeavor. Although I live across the country in Seattle my mind often goes back to all the wonderful time with the Black family. So sorry for your tremendous loss.
patsirobison@yahoo.com
Patsi"
"Doug was one of a kind, I used to watch him sometimes when the folks were working at the VFW. He will be Greatly missed. Rest in Peace my Step Brother and Friend."
"To Doug's family: Cheri and I want to wish all of you our deepest sympathy in your loss of Doug. May each one of you find comfort in the days ahead from your memories you have of him. Lola, I know Doug loved you so much, always talked about you and was glad you were his mom. I know he looked forward to spending time with you when he was back in Iowa and when you visited Cindy and him in Texas during the winter. Jeremy, Katie, and family's, I know your dad was proud of both of you and loved both of you and your families so much. I know he especially loved being grandpa to the kids as he always talked about them or should I say bragged about them as grandpa's like to do. Cindy, Thank you for making Doug happy during his Texas years and everything else you have done for him. We know you provided excellent care for him during his illness. I don't think he could have asked for better care from anyone when he was fighting the fight. Cheri and I will miss spending time with Doug and you in the Valley. We'll just have to get together and reminisce about Doug. Cheri and I look forward to seeing you when you come to Iowa for his memorial service. Doug was one of my oldest childhood friends. We became friends when we were in grade school. When we were young kids we did everything together like my mom use to say if you saw Doug or Fred the other wasn't far behind. We remained friends throughout life until Doug's passing. We didn't see each other sometimes for years but when we did it was always easy to pick up where we had left off. I'm sure going to miss him, but I have so many memories of the good times we had together I will reflect on those to get by. Rest in Peace our friend. Fred and Cheri "
"May deepest condolences to Dougs family he wasnt just my boss he was a great friend and he will be missed always."
"We want to give our deepest condolences to the entire family of Doug Black. He was such a good friend to our entire family. He will be missed. From the entire Frantz and Myrick families. "
"We want to give the entire family of Doug Black our deepest condolences. Doug has been a great friend. We will truly miss him. From the entire Frantz and Myrick families."
"Doug was a classmate& friend Though not real close he always had time to say hello & chat for awhile. His laugh was contagious. I looked up to him as he was the "tough guy" in our class Never a bully though R I P friend "
"May the love and comfort of God's grace embrace Doug's family and friends during this time of sorrow. May our Lord heal and give strength to those in need. Rest in peace (Uncle) Doug. "
"I'm so sorry for this family I love so much. May the peace of Jesus envelope your hearts at this time. Doug was so full of mischief ad a young man and so full of life as an adult. He will be so missed!"
"So sorry for this family I love so much. My cousin, my childhood friend. I know you will be missed horribly. God be with your family."
"When Doug was about 10 yrs. old I was babysitting and he tried to sneak up behind me, I ask him what he was doing and he thought I had eyes in the back of my head, but I saw him in the window ahead of me. We laughed about that for years. I will miss him, he is a Special person. Rest in peace my Dear Brother. "
"I will miss you dad. I have fond memories of traveling all corners of the state of Iowa with my dad in my corner at wrestling tournaments. He was a great dad to have growing up. He came to everything he could come to and supported me through thick and thin. I have a vast amount of stories with my dad that could keep people rolling for hours on end. He had an extraordinary infectious personality where people were just drawn to him and he could light up a room. I miss you dad. Rest with the love of family in your heart."
"To Jeramy and Katie always remember your dad loved you both to the moon and backð?'?"
"To my mother in law and all of Dougs brothers and family in Iowa I love you all so much and thank you for all for excepting me into your life's and for your help and support over the last 6 months I miss my sweetheart so much but I thank God he not hurting anymore hugs and kisses to you all ð?'? Cindy Dillon Black"
"We are so sorry to hear of Doug's passing, our thoughts and prayers are with all of the family. Uncle Bo and Aunt Eloise, Kathy, Vicki, and Janice."