Darrell Black Jr.

BERTRAND, Mo. — Darrell Black Jr., 83, of Bertrand died Monday, March 20, 2023, at Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau.

He was the widower of the late Vera Lou Black, and son of the late Earlie Darrell and Mattie Elizabeth Williams Black, formerly of Oran, Missouri.

Darrell, known affectionately to family as "Junior", was a farmer, mechanic, an avid outdoorsman and spirited Little League coach.

He spent his early years farming, first in Oran, then later in Northwest Mississippi. After retiring from farming, he worked as a mechanic and spent many years working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers repairing the equipment used to maintain the recreational lakes in northwest Mississippi.

In his free time, he enjoyed hunting deer and rabbits, and fly fishing, as well as fishing for crappie, catfish and bass. He was an avid camper and enjoyed swimming and grilling over an open fire, spending many weekends and vacations doing so at Big Bear Campgrounds on Kentucky Lake.

He was well known in the Oran community for coaching Little League. Coaching youth was an integral part of his life, and did not stop when his own children finished. He later coached his grandchildren and many other youth in the community with his late wife, Vera, by his side.

Darrell was a huge fan of Western movies and watched many of his favorites, especially those with John Wayne and Clint Eastwood. His favorite television shows -- "Gunsmoke", "The Rifleman", "Laramie" and "Walker, Texas Ranger" -- kept him entertained on many occasions.

He and Vera enjoyed music and dancing, and spent much of their time together doing so at VFW Post No. 5368 in Morley, Missouri. Together, they hosted multiple family events and outings, making certain fun was had by all. Their laughter and smiles are missed.

Darrell is survived by two sons, Darrell David (Teresa) Black of Shiloh, Illinois, and Michael Kevin Black of Sikeston, Missouri; two daughters, Karen Jeanne "Jeannie" Dunn of Shiloh and Sandra Joyce (Tim) Rushing of Oran; a sister, Wanda Sue Black (Lindell) Crocker of Haines City, Florida; 13 grandchildren, Jessica (T.K.) Koenig of Oran, Diedra (Terry) Blackmill of O'Fallon, Illinois, Bethany (Jared) Szolga of Sedalia, Missouri, Whitney (Scott) Haeberle of Fairview Heights, Illinois, Rachel (Terry) Sexton of Moscow Mills, Missouri, Steven Michael Black of Jackson, Sarah Elizabeth Black of Cape Girardeau, Jacob Nathaniel Black of Minot, North Dakota, Dr. Adam E. (Mandy) Friga of Oran, Craig (Stacey) Friga of Oran, John Wayne (Allison) DeBrock of Sikeston, Heather (Jason) Cooper of Augusta, Arkansas, and David "Bo" (Lorianne) Dunn of Tillatoba, Mississippi; and 45 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Vera Lou Black; parents, Earlie Darrell and Mattie Elizabeth Williams Black; brother, Richard Lee Black; and grandchild, Zachary Ryan Black.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, March 24, at Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Oran.

Funeral will be 10 a.m. Saturday, March 25, at the funeral home, with Pastor Mark Boettcher officiating. Burial will follow at the New Morley Cemetery in Morley.

Online condolences may be shared at www.amick-burnettfuneralchapels.com.