Murray "Sonny" B. Black Jr.

Sonny was born May 15th, 1943 in Amarillo, Texas. Sonny spent his youth in Fouke, Arkansas and eventually moved to Houston, Texas during his adolescent years to graduate from Reagan High School in 1961. After graduation, he served our country in The United States Marine Corps for 4 years, was honorably discharged, and then continued his service in the reserves for some time. Later on, Sonny graduated from the University of Houston and retired from CenterPoint Energy after 39 years. In his spare time, Sonny enjoyed water skiing and loved to take his boat out on Lake Conroe with family and friends. Everyone who knew Sonny knew his love for barbecuing; he could smoke or grill just about anything. Some of his fondest memories are from his days competing in the chili cook-offs around Houston. But his biggest passion was being a lifetime Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo member for 34 years. Sonny was a Corral Club member, participating in various committees before eventually serving as the Hideout Club Chairman for 2 years. Sonny never met a stranger; he always had a story to tell and loved to bring out the best in people.

Sonny was preceded in death by his parents, Murray Black Sr. and Hope Collins, and sister, Shirley Sumpter. He leaves behind his loving wife of 41 years, Susan Leake Black of Kingwood, TX; daughter, Kacie Black of Austin, TX, sons Rod Black of Atlanta, Georgia and Chad Black of Tomball, TX, sister Mary Pankey of Texarkana, Arkansas, and a host of other cousins, nieces, nephews, family and friends.

Sonny was an honorable Marine, Husband, Father and friend, and he will be deeply missed by all who knew him. The Black family would like to give a special thanks to Bradford Memory Care, Devotion Hospice, and the staff at Unlimited Care who took great care of him in his final days of life. A Celebration of Life service will be held Tuesday, December 10th at 11:00 am in the chapel of Kingwood Funeral Home 22800 Highway 59 North, Kingwood, Texas 77339. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Sonny’s name to the Alzheimer’s Association.