Charles Paul Black

Charles Paul Black went to heaven at the age of 90, on August 31, 2024. He was born in Visalia, CA on April 25, 1934 to William Edgar and Bessie Turck Black. He accepted Jesus into his heart at the early age of 5. Within months he lost his mother in a car accident. He was the youngest of 5 children until his father remarried a widow that had 6 children of her own when he was seven years old. He was no longer the youngest, and now one of 11 children.

Charles grew up on his father's farm just a few miles north of Visalia along the St. John's River. He attended school for the first few years close to home at Elbow School. Then continued at Ivanhoe School until 8th grade. He attended Visalia Union High School and graduated in 1952. Math and Auto Mechanics were his strong subjects.

Helping his father operate the farm, he learned much. Everything from crop care, rotation and what it took to keep equipment running and operable. His father grew produce, specializing in sweet potatoes and sweet potato plants, delivering as far as Los Angeles, CA and places in-between. Little by little the farm gravitated to walnut orchards. Charles worked beside his father, as did all the children that still lived at home.

When he was drafted by the Army, he did very well on the entrance tests. On Sundays, he would walk off base to find a Church, and ended up being the driver for the elderly Circuit Preacher. He became acquainted with many pastors and churches in the area. After basic training, he found himself in charge of several different areas. He discovered he was the only one in the barracks that did not drink alcohol or smoke. Boy, did he have some stories to tell about those who did! Due to his mechanical knowledge, he was assigned as an airplane mechanic in Germany. Some of the pilots became his best friends.

He enjoyed the satisfaction of his military service, but his love for family kept bringing him back home. He worked out a deal with the commanders, and somehow never missed a walnut harvest!

Back at the farm he met a local girl that caught his eye through farming operations. He invited her to go to Church with him, and eventually led her to the Lord. He married Margaret (Peggy) Luanne Ray in 1961. They had 3 children in the course of six years, Luanne, Randell, and Brian. When Peggy would begin to have labor pains, they got in the car and headed for the midwife in Los Angeles. Long story short, Charles had the privilege of delivering all 3 of his children before the mid-wife arrived.

He loved the outdoors, climbing the highest mountain peaks nearby was his favorite. His favorites were Alta Peak and Pinnacles, climbing them multiple times during his life. He was also extremely involved in the development of the Christian & Missionary Alliance Campground for this district. 116 acres was purchased in the mountainous forest surrounding the Russian River near Santa Rosa, CA. He donated lots of his time and resources, including a tractor and some implements. He took his growing family to Alliance Redwood Camps nearly every summer. He also strongly promoted and provided transportation to the Youth Camps each summer.

His heart for Christ grew deeper and deeper. He always has a desire and love for the Mission field, whether it was foreign or domestic. As a child he was on the ground floor of the Christian & Missionary Alliance, planting and raising up a church in Visalia, CA. He began to assist his father within the walls of the local jail at age 14. He made trips to the Christian & Missionary Alliance missionaries in South America more than once, taking tractor parts, tires or whatever they needed from the States in his suitcase. On one of those trips, he took his young family to introduce them to the vision of missions. He contacted World Vision to sponsor refugee families, the first family was Vietnamese, the second family was Cambodian. He believed that because circumstances did not allow him to go to the mission field, God brought the mission field to him. Shortly after, our own Asian refugees began coming to Visalia, and he jumped right in to what God was doing. In 2000, he joined with The Gideons International whose mission is to get the Bible into as many hands and hearts as possible in their own language. He taught Sunday School classes at Parkside Chapel every Sunday morning for many years. He also served as a deacon, AWANA leader and wherever needed.

Charles is survived by his sister, Lynette Hanush; his daughter, Luanne; his sons, Brian and Randell; seven grandchildren; and 3 great- grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, 9 siblings, his wife and 1 granddaughter. Charles Paul Black also leaves behind many and friends who will cherish his memory.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Charles to:

*Parkside Chapel, Visalia, CA http://www.ParksideVisalia.org

*Alliance Redwoods Christian Campgrounds http://www.AllianceRedwoods.com

Good News Jail Ministry http://www.gnglobal.org/Tulare-Memorial

Gideons - Visalia Camp donation cards will be available at service

P.O. Box 3493, Visalia, CA 93278