Robert Black

Robert Vannoy Black, 87, passed away, Wednesday, March 10, 2010 in the Houston VA Hospital. He was born March 1, 1923 at Mexia, Texas to pioneer parents Dee and Farrah Black, now deceased. He was educated in Mexia, leaving just prior to graduating from high school to enlist in the Army Air Corps. After stateside training in basics, tech and speciality schools, he was assigned to the 15th AF based in Italy. He was a gunner on a B-24 plane. He was on his eleventh bomb mission when the plane was shot down by German fighters. He was taken prisoner as soon as he hit the ground and spent thirteen months in Stalog 17B, a German prison camp. This complete story is written in a hard cover book "The Last Flight". R. V. was a life member in National POW's, DAV, VFW, Amvets, American Legion and the 15th AF Assoc. While serving, he received numerous medals, including the Purple Heart, Air Medal W/IOLC, Presidential Unit Citation, WWII Victory Medal, ETO Ribbon W/3 Battle Stars, Good Conduct and POW Medal. He was also a thirty second degree Mason. R. V. was a workaholic saying he was making up for lost time while he was in that POW camp. After an honorable discharge, he came home to Mexia and went to work for Stanolind Oil Co. where his uncle Lee Black worked and they both retired from the same company which is now Amoco. Uncle Lee Black and Dee Black were brothers and they married sisters making their progenies double kin. The oil trail took R. V. to Lawton, Ok., Post, Tx. Levelland, Tx. and to Haskell, Tx., where he retired after 24 years service. He was very civic minded and was the Fire Marshall in the Haskell Volunteer Fire Dept., Commander of the American Legion Post, Boy Scout leader, Little League Coach and a big supporter of the football team. He was also baptized in the First Baptist Church there. R. V. moved to Houston, Tx. and vested for another retirement from Union Texas Petroleum in 1985. He was retained as a consultant and also continued to work the company deer lease as Manager and hunting guide at Marble Falls, Tx. R. V.'s hobby was woodworking and he could make anything his heart desired. He made ballpoint pens out of exotic woods. R. V. is survived by his loving wife, Ivonne LaFoy Black and a small family. He and Ivonne have been married 63 years. They have made their home in Houston the past 40 years. Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m., Saturday, March 13, 2010 at Blair-Stubbs Chapel with Rev. Michael Vestal officiating. Interment will be in the Faulkenberry Cemetery in Groesbeck. Visitation with the family will be 6-8 p.m. Friday.