Benjamin Clayton Black III

Benjamin Clayton Black III passed away peacefully on February 19, 2019 at age 86, in Wylie, TX. A loving father, grandfather and great-grandfather, Clayton Black was born in St. Louis on January 31, 1933, the only child of Ben C. Black II and Alice Kernan Day. Clayton grew up in Houston, TX and attended St. Thomas High School and Mirabeau B. Lamar High School. He attended The University of Texas at Austin, was a member of Theta Xi fraternity and earned a bachelor’s degree in Business. While attending UT, he met Barbara (Babs) Ann Barth and they were married on February 12, 1955. Six children born of this union survive him: Catherine Pfaff (Ken), Julie Black, Paula Rosselet (Rich), Christie Black, Clayton Black, all residing locally, and Timothy Black, residing in Kansas City, MO. Babs Black died in 2009.

Clayton worked as a Contracts Manager for Alexander Smith Carpets over many years and was twice named Salesman of the Year. He was an accomplished finish carpenter and loved woodworking, cabinet making, camping, sailing, photography, and the mountains. He spent 20+ years living in Dolores and Cortez, Colorado, and made many lasting friendships there with his wife Sue, who died in 1999. While living in Cortez, he started Turnkey Construction and Carpentry, and employed several craftsmen. He had an organic garden called Blackacre, and he sold produce at the local market. He also cut & sold firewood. In retirement, Clayton traced his Black family back to the American Revolution and he was a proud member of the Sons of the American Revolution and the Missouri Order of the Stars and Bars. History was a lifelong interest and he loved reading. Clayton recently celebrated 48 years of sobriety in Alcoholics Anonymous and touched countless lives, sharing his experience, strength and hope with many.

Besides his 6 children, Mr. Black is survived by his cousins Angela Tolkacz Roepke and Alice Tolkacz Hellrung, grandchildren Michael Keller, Annie Rose Such, and Sarah, Ben and Josh Rosselet, as well as great-grandchildren Noelle Keller and Gracie Fiske.

Some of Ben’s famous phrases were “A sense of humor is a vital survival skill” and “Don’t have any expectations…be surprised.”

The family has requested no flowers. In lieu of floral contributions, the family has asked that you make a donation to your favorite charity in memory of Benjamin Black III.