Jack D. Black

Jack D. Black

Rock Rapids, Iowa

            Services for Jack D. Black, age 82, of Rock Rapids, formerly of Primghar who passed away on Friday, August 4, 2023, at Lyon Specialty Care in Rock Rapids.  His celebration of life will be at 1:30 P.M. on Friday, August 11, 2023, at the United Church of Primghar with Pastor Mike Cooper ~ officiating.

            To view Jack's service live, please register at:  https://event.forgetmenotceremonies.com/ceremony?c=0e6537c6-adb1-4aa2-9984-cdd9eefa5b70

            Burial will be at the Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Primghar.

            Visitation with the family present will be from 5 – 7 P.M. on Thursday, August 10, 2023, at the Eldridge Family Funeral Home in Primghar.

            In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the O'Brien County Fair Board for their show arena.

Jack Dean Black the son of Talmadge and LaVon (Brownell) Black was born February 28,1941 in Spencer, Iowa. Jack spent his childhood growing up in Rossie, Iowa. He graduated from Greenville-Rossie High School in 1958. Jack was united in marriage to Clara Richter on September 4, 1971. To this union four children were born.

Jack attended college and graduated from Buena Vista with a degree in secondary education and obtained a coaching certificate. He began his teaching career in 1964 at Havelock-Plover (H-P) where he taught high school history and coached softball, girls basketball, and girls track for 10 years.  Jack taught and coached at Iowa Falls from 1974-1978. Jack’s greatest accomplishments were with the high school girls track and softball programs at H-P. He proudly told stories of the teams he coached with the crowning moments of taking his 4x100 girls team to the Drake Relays and his softball team to the State Tournament.

Jack and Clara moved to Primghar in 1978 with the purchase of a retail business which became known as Black’s Farm Store. Jack was a member of the United Church of Primghar and served on several church committees as well as being involved with the youth group. Jack also served on the Primghar Community School Board, on the Primghar City Council, and a supporter of the O’Brien County Fair. Jack and Clara remained in Primghar for 44 years. Due to health reasons, they made a move to live near family in Rock Rapids, Iowa in January of 2023.

Giving tractor rides on his old “H” was a highlight for Jack. All of his grandchildren had the privilege of riding at Papa Jack’s side, as did many other children in Primghar through the years. Jack enjoyed the world of sports from supporting the area High School teams, following his children and grandchildren in their sports careers, as well as being an avid Hawkeye fan.

Jack is survived by his wife Clara.  Their marriage of the last 51 years brought four children: Heather (Corey) Heimensen of Rock Rapids, IA, Aaron (Cindy) Black of Ocean Isle Beach, NC, Gretchen (Ryan) Engelmeyer of Lee’s Summit, MO, and Brittany Houwen of Tiffin, IA; 10 grandchildren: Zed (Ashley), Hayden, and Grace Heimensen, Zachariah and Bauer Black, Miles and Easton Engelmeyer, Reis, Ty, and Shae Houwen; sisters: Tamra (Dennis) Gullickson, Kathleen (Larry) Bame, Mary (Steve) Niesen, Michelle (Michael) Davis;  and brothers: Jon (Lori) Black, and Jay (Lori) Black as well as several nieces, nephews and friends.

Jack was preceded in death by his father, mother, and his sister Patricia Lamberson.