Clifford Black, Sr. Obituary

Paul Black
1934-2018

Clifford Paul Black (Sr.) was born June 30th, 1934, the ninth child of Clifford Putnam Black and Minnie A. (Allsbury) Black, at his childhood home on Tucker Street, St. Joseph, Missouri. At the age of 83, he was called to his heavenly home on May 24, 2018, surrounded by a loving family in St. Joseph.
Paul attended the Moore and Hosea Grade Schools and was a proud graduate and alumni of the 1951 class of Benton high School. Upon graduation from high school he served a two-year duty in the U.S.M.C., Camp Pendleton, California, achieving the rank of Staff Sergeant.
On September 25, 1954, he married Ruby M. McNeese, an extremely loving, caring and supporting Christian woman with whom he raised three sons and one daughter: Clifford P. Black, Jr., (Carole), St. Joseph, Missouri, the parents of Rebecca, Page, and Paul Black; Keith A. Black (Deidre), Tucson, Arizona, the parents of Darrin Black (Wendy) and Devin Black (Kailey); Jeffrey K. Black (Shelley), St. Joseph, Missouri, the parents of Atley Black Marks, Hillary Black Dietz (Tyler), Pauren Black, and Isaac Black (Amy); and Lisa R. Black (Jaimee), Granger, Indiana, the parents of Miguel and Annaliza Canda.
Paul’s employment history began as a clerk at the Still Grocery Store, a delivery boy for Schirmer’s Drug Store, and worked for Myrtle Keck. After leaving the U.S.M.C. he worked briefly at the L&M Plant in Atchison, Kansas, and then completed business courses at Platt Business School. His next job was with Fletcher, Mayo, and Associates Advertising Company as a bookkeeper and he worked his way to the position of Treasurer. In addition to his financial responsibilities at Fletchers, he helped lead the advertising campaigns of several national companies and a number of Missouri state-wide political races. In 1971 he and Ruby became owners of Rent-All Equipment, Inc., where his hard work and entrepreneurial spirit along with faithful emplyees built and thriving local business, which included the Belt Rent-All and the Appliance and Furniture Rental Store. He retired from these businesses in 1989.
Paul and Ruby enjoyed their family, traveling and fishing. They spent many winters in Tucson, Arizona, where they became a part of the Far Horizon Trailer Court family of Snow Birds. Ruby was called to her heavenly reward on December 31, 2003.
In 1963 Paul accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior and became an active member of the King Hill Baptist Church (now Journey Baptist), where he faithfully served as Deacon, Sunday school teacher, finance chairman, and on the Pastor Search and Property Committees. He also held representative positions with the St. Joseph Baptist Association and the Missouri Baptist Convention. He fervently supported the local church, international missions and prison ministries.
On April 2005, he experienced another blessing in his life, his marriage to Shirley A. Stockton in Branson, Missouri. This marriage brought into his family a stepson, Billy D. Daugherty (Janet), Richmond, Missouri, the parents of Mandy Green (Nathan) and Amy Lee (Aaron); a stepdaughter Stephanie A. Estes (Noah), Richmond, Missouri, the parents of Colton and Tyler Mitchell; and stepson Chuck Daugherty, St. Joseph, Missouri. During their time together, they enjoyed traveling, winters in Tucson, and spending time with family and spearheading remodeling projects at Journey Baptist Church. His children wish to express their appreciation to Shirley for the joy she brought into his life and the tender care she showered him with, especially during his time of illness.
Paul was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Ruby, his three brothers: Herman (Barbara), Marvin (Goldie) and Melvin (Beverly) Black; his three sisters: Edna Black Ferguson (Charles), Ethel Black Whitaker (Al), and Dorothy Black Kagay (Leonard).
Also preceding him in death were several brothers and sister-in-laws, including sister-in-law Patricia D. Knox Alexander and mother-in-law Mary L. Knox (to whom he showed great care and support during her long Widowhood). He also was a loving and supportive Step Father during the illness and death of his step-son Billy D. Daugherty.
Paul is survived by his wife, four children, two step children, two step children-in-laws, eleven grandchildren, four step grandchildren, seven great grandchildren, two step great grandchildren, his sisters: Cora Black Sanders (widow of Ralph), Cummings, Kansas, Mary Black Adams (John), Overland Park, Kansas, Carol Farrell (widow of Phil), St. Joseph, Missouri, numerous nieces and nephews; his sister-in-laws Barbara A. Tebbe (Greg), Blue Springs, Missouri, and Beverly Wilson Black, Denver, Colorado; his former son-in-law Raymond Canda, Osceola, Indiana; and other friends and relatives.
Celebration of Life 11:00 A.M. Saturday, June 2, Journey Baptist Church, St. Joseph. Flowers are appreciated and for those wishing to make a contribution, the family requests they be made to Journey Baptist Church. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

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