Johnnie Black

BENJAMIN FUNERAL SERVICE NOWATA, OKLAHOMA 918-273-2700....

Johnnie (John) Lee Black passed on from this life on August 26, 2020 at the age of 72. He was born to Jake Edward Black and Vera Maude (Guthrie) Black on January 26, 1948 in Watova, Oklahoma. He was the ninth of ten children born into his family and often reminisced about growing up with his brothers and sisters on the family farm before moving to Nowata. John graduated from Nowata High School in 1966.

After high school John felt a calling to serve his country and joined the military. He chose to join the United States Marine Corps and was part of the All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron VMA (AW) 225, known as the "Vikings". He deployed to Da Nang Air base, Vietnam in January 1969. He returned to the states the following year to finish out his service commitment. During his service in Vietnam he gained lifelong friends that he considered brothers and continued to hold those relationships close throughout his life. Last summer, he was excited to make the trip back to his original basic training location, Cherry Point, NC for his 50-year reunion with his squadron.

John married Dovie Carol Brunson on October 4th, 1971. To this union were born two children, Derrick Wayne Black and Holly Beth Black. John and Dovie divorced in 1980 and he married Andra Sue Freeman in 1981. He and Andra spent 29 years together, mostly in their home in Sperry, Oklahoma.

John had a long career with the phone company in Tulsa. He began with the company in 1972 as an outside technician and moved to multiple positions within the company eventually leading into a management position. He retired from AT&T (formerly SBC and Southwestern Bell) in 2000. He continued with contractor work for many years afterward until he decided to permanently retire.

John was always proud of his military service and when he moved back to Nowata in 2009 he became active in the local VFW where he served in many roles. He had many other interests including fishing, hunting, and OU football. He also enjoyed watching basketball and made it a priority to be present at his daughter's games during her high school years. He became "Gram Cracker" to his only grandchild, Addison Jean Lashley. His quiet and loving manner will be missed by his siblings, his children and his granddaughter.

John is preceded in death by his parents, Jake and Vera Black, and his brothers Pete, Jerry, and Robert Black. He is survived by his children; Derrick Wayne Black and Holly Beth Lashley with her husband Nathan James Lashley and daughter Addison Jean. Other survivors include siblings: Nancy Reeves, Rodney Black, Dean Black, Connie Anderson and Jackie Hathcoat; and numerous nieces and nephews.

John will be laid to rest in the Ft Gibson National Cemetery among those who also served with honor.

Funeral services for Johnnie Lee Black will be held 9:30 a.m., Thursday, September 3, 2020, at the the Ft Gibson National Cemetery in Ft Gibson, Oklahoma. . Services are under the direction of Benjamin Funeral Service of Nowata. Online condolences may be left at www.honoringmemories.com or see our facebook page.