Roy Louis Black

Roy Louis Black, beloved husband, father, brother, uncle, cousin and a tremendous man, left for his heavenly home on April 22, 2024.

Memorial Service: 10:00 am, Saturday, April 27, 2024 in the Chapel at Lucas Funeral Home - Keller. Click here to watch the Recorded Service: https://video.ibm.com/channel/23847300/video/66e792

There isn’t enough page to write about everything he did in life, or what he meant to so many.

He is survived by his wife, Claire Greenwood-Black, his daughter Jessie Renney of Capitan, New Mexico, sons Jared Black of Las Cruces, New Mexico, Royce Black (Abbey) of Capitan, New Mexico, Jack Black of Capitan, New Mexico, grandchildren Olivia Renney and Ethan Renney of Capitan, New Mexico, Logan, Edna and Lawrence Black of Capitan, New Mexico, and a new one on its way, the mother of his children, Jamie Pryor of Capitan, New Mexico, sisters Winnie Cener (David) of Fort Worth, Texas, Jackie Black-Chaffins (Phillip) of Keller, Texas, Joyce Black Sanford of Las Colinas, Texas, Iris Finnell (Dugan), of Weatherford, Texas and a host of nieces and nephews from everywhere!

He as preceded in death by his parents Jack and Eddie Black, and his best friend, Kim Blakey.

Roy was born in El Paso, Texas on February 8, 1953 to Jack and Edna (Eddie) Black, joining two sisters, Winnie and Jackie. Later there were two more sisters, Joyce and Iris. Roy said once when in the process of getting a liver transplant and needed more help than he had ever needed in his life, that his sisters who were there to get him transferred to Texas for treatment, were a force that not too many would want to battle with.

He graduated from Ysleta High School in El Paso and attended Sul Ross University in Alpine.
Raised in a big family, he had 27 cousins, all of whom he was very close to. Some lived just down the road, some across the land, but he cherished all of them.

He grew up in the country and the cowboy way never left him. He was his Daddy’s constant companion on the ranch in Sierra Blanca, Texas and every feedyard within 500 miles. His granddaddy Roy, who he was named after, was a cattleman, as were his uncles, so that life was just who he was.

As a young man, he discovered his love for Country Music and followed that trail for many years. He was part of Causey Cattle Company Band with his best friend (and almost brother), Kim Blakey (Lead guitar) and they went on to create Timbreline Band, out of Ruidoso, New Mexico. Craig Yeutter (Keyboard), and Donnie Fennimore (Drummer). Roy was the Bassman.

They made many albums, released many CDS and had the times of their lives as they lived out the musician’s dream. They played in Las Vegas, opened for Barbara Mandrell, Ronny Milsap and other famous groups. Billy Bob’s in Fort Worth was another venue that they sold out on several occasions.

They entered and won the Wrangler’s Jean Company’s National Battle of the Bands in Nashville and performed at the Grand Ole Opry. Roy’s Mama was their biggest supporter, following them around the country and loving every minute. Music was his life.

He exceeded in every role he ever had---horse trainer, cattleman, musician, and friend. To say that he never met a stranger is an understatement. He has friends in every corner of the country and hundreds in between. Would he give the shirt off of his back for someone who needed it? Absolutely!

As the Sherrif at the Flying J Ranch, in Ruidoso, he gave 20 years to performing not only music and comedy, but was ambassador to those who came to see the shows, which were pretty famous!

A kind man with a big heart, Roy loved his family—even though some of them might not be really kin!
Had it not been for the sacrifice of a brave family, donating their son’s liver after his death, life would have been very different for the Black family. Then came the loving choice of his Marine son, Royce, to give Roy a kidney, further extending his life.

In many ways, Roy was a simple man, loving animals, family, friends, both new and old, but he loved the Cowboy life the best. He was probably born 100 years too late.

Roy loved lyrics and the turn of a phrase, and he loved Chris LeDoux and King George Strait.

When you miss Roy or have a little tear just remember that they could have written these words about him.

He’s tall in the saddle, short on the cash
The last to quit, the first to buy the beer
He’s a knight in leather armor, still livin’ by the code
That’s made him what he’s been a hundred years

He’s still out there ridin’ fences
Still makes his living with a song
As long as there’s a sunset, he’ll keep ridin’ for the brand
You just can’t see him from the road

The last goodbye's the hardest one to say
This is where the cowboy rides away

A special, loving thanks to Dr. Bobby Black, Roy’s first cousin, who not only was his friend, but his brother, who guided and protected him through a liver transplant, a kidney transplant, heart attacks, countless Careflights to Dallas and this last illness. Without Bobby, Roy would not have made the old age of 71. Bobby was by his side for many years and in his final hours and breaths. That is true family.