Black, Keith Warren

Keith Warren Black, 71, of Morganton, N.C., joined his Lord and Savior on Monday, Jan. 3, 2011. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 15, at Faith Lutheran Church, Marion, with Pastor John Albertson officiating. Following the service, the family will receive friends in the fellowship hall. Burial will take place at a later date at the Ottumwa Cemetery, Ottumwa.

Keith was born Jan. 21, 1939, in Ottumwa, Iowa, the son of the late Glen and Martha (Spry) Black. Keith was the great-great-grandson of Richard Warden, founder of the Ottumwa Courier. He graduated from Ottumwa High School class of 1957, and received a basketball scholarship at Parsons College. He graduated from Parsons College with a degree in education, did graduate work at the University of Iowa, and earned his masters in special education from the University of Northern Iowa.

Keith raised his family in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and during those years he principally worked as a consultant for Grant Wood Area Education Agency, serving children with special needs in the seven county area. Keith also served unconditionally as the coordinator of the East Central District Iowa Special Olympics for 14 years. Following his work with Grant Wood AEA and the Special Olympics, Keith became an instructor at Kirkwood Community College. 

He was an active member of First Lutheran Church, teaching Sunday school, serving on its board, in addition to the boards of YMCA Camp Wapsie and Arc He later joined Faith Lutheran Church. 

He loved being around family, friends and colleagues, spending time traveling each of the 50 states and many foreign destinations. He was an avid fisherman and a devoted Iowa Hawkeye fan. He retired in 1997, and, in 2004, to be closer to family, moved to North Carolina, where he was active in his neighborhood events and a member of Calvary Lutheran Church.

Keith was married to the love of his life, Lynn, for nearly 50 years and is survived by her. He is also survived by his son, Craig Black and wife Amy of Charlotte, N.C.; his daughter, Bonnie Black of Minneapolis; his brother, John Black and wife Patricia of Cedar Falls; his grandchildren, Emily, Alex and Emilio Black; his nephew, Carlos Black; his nieces, Maria Black, Stacie Eastman and Kristin Bilardi; and his brother-in-law, David Tvedt.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Faith Lutheran Church, 155 Boyson Rd., Marion, IA 52302.

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