Frank S. Black, Jr.

After a life full of good friends and adventures, Frank S. Black Jr., 89, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, March 17, 2024, at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital in Roanoke, Virginia. 

He was born in Staunton, on February 25, 1935, to the late Frank S. Black and Mary M. Black. 

He is preceded in death by his wife, Mary Margaret (Beale) Black. 

He is survived by his son, F. Scott Black III; a daughter, Mary G. Wingfield; his grandchildren, Frank S. Black IV and his wife, Rachel, M. Christopher Wingfield, Jr., and Matthew J. Wingfield; his great-grandchildren, Mikayla M. and Riley J. Black; his twin brother, Benham M. Black; and his nieces, Susan Black, Mary-Benham Nygren and family, and Ann Yadlowsky and family.

Frank was raised in Augusta County and Staunton. He graduated from Robert E. Lee High School, the University of Virginia School of Civil Engineering, and U.S. Army Ranger Training. After completing his tour of duty in the Army, he returned to Virginia and spent the vocational part of his life supervising heavy construction projects. The first half of his 46-year work career was spent predominantly in bridge construction and the last half was mostly supervising treatment plant construction along with work on the Richmond Flood Wall, and early stages of construction of Wintergreen and Massanutten Ski Resorts.

His family was the most important part of his life, and no matter how long he worked, he always took time for the raising of his children. He thoroughly enjoyed the outdoors, and his main hobbies were bow hunting, gardening, riding motorcycles, and, in the latter part of his life, ATVs. He also never gave up his love of learning and enjoyed studying the stock market and earth science.

He was an active member of the United Methodist Church, working in both the local church and the Virginia United Methodist Conference. His work with the Conference was predominantly in finance and new church starts. For 50 years, he was a certified lay speaker.

A celebration of life will be conducted at 2:00 PM on Thursday, March 21, 2024 at St. James United Methodist Church in Churchville with the Reverend Lester Kennedy officiating. Burial will be private at Thornrose Cemetery in Staunton.