Ted W. Black

Ted Wyatt Black, 58, passed away Friday morning May 21, 2010 at his home with his family by his side. He died from ALS. Ted was born March 24, 1952 in Akron, Ohio. He was raised and graduated from high school in Springfield, Ohio. He was married to his high school sweetheart, Rosie, in Campbell County Tennessee October 9, 1970. He was in Missile Control Communications and stationed at the Grand Forks Air Force base in December 1971. He rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant and was honorably discharged to attend the University of North Dakota full time in December 1977. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree with majors in Marketing and Banking and Finance and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Advertising. He worked in the financial service industry with First Bank Grand Forks, Bankers Systems, and Piper Jaffray. He was also an instructor at UND in the finance department for many years. During the 1970s and 1980s, Ted was a member of the Grand Forks Jaycees and served on their Board of Directors. He was an accomplished artist, dancer, and chef. One of the joys of his life was coaching for his children's youth basketball, soccer and football teams. He loved camping and fishing. He was active in many musical groups and theater productions throughout the years here in Grand Forks. For 38 years, Ted has been a member of Calvary Lutheran Church. He has served as a Sunday school teacher, church councilman and treasurer of the congregation. For the past 26 years he was a member of the Senior Choir and Men's Ensemble. Community service was a way of life for Ted. He was member and past president of the Greater Grand Forks Sertoma Club where he volunteered to help run many July 4th celebrations. Ted also served on the board and was a volunteer for First Night. He was also a member of the American Legion and the Disabled American Veterans. Left to build on his foundation of faith and sharing God's love are his wife of almost 40 years, and their children Angela (Korey) Erickson, Grand Forks, Wyatt (Starla) Black, Crystal, Minn., Samuel (Christina) Black, Minnetonka, Minn., Kirby Black (and her fiancé Jacob Vossler), Grand Forks, Isaac Black, Grand Forks; his grandsons Levi and Ezra Black and his granddaughter Ruby Erickson; his mother-in-law, Suzanne Kime and his sisters, Valerie (John) Kerwin, Sarasota, FL, Carolyn Livergood, St. Louis, Mo., and special brother and sister Harold and Lynn Cullom and their children. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Greater Grand Forks Sertoma Club, PO box 12832, Grand Forks, ND 58208 or Calvary Lutheran Church, 405 South 9th St. Grand Forks, ND 58201. A celebration of life and music will be held at 3 p.m. onTuesday, May 25, 2010 at Calvary Lutheran church 1405 9th St. S in Grand Forks.