Lt. Col. Richard “Dick” Eugene Black, Jr., 77, passed away at his home on May 9, 2010. A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m., Friday, May 14, 2010, at Our Saviour Lutheran Church. A graveside service with full military honors will be held at 2:30 p.m. in Beaufort National Cemetery, Beaufort, SC. Officiating will be Pastor Lance Henderson. Honorary pallbearers will be the Lutheran Church Men at Our Saviour Lutheran Church and Cayce-West Columbia Lions Club. The family will receive friends from 6-8, Thursday evening, at Thompson Funeral Home of Lexington and at the home other times. Lt. Col. Black was born in Beaufort, SC on September 14, 1932 to the late Richard Eugene “Gene” Black and Rebecca Tedder Black. Dick, a native of Georgetown, SC, graduated from Winyah High School in 1950 and The Citadel in 1954 where he was the Battalion Commander of the 1st Battalion and Commander of the Summerall Guards his senior year. Dick was commissioned into the Army as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Infantry. His duties were as a staff officer, company commander, and battalion commander with overseas tours in Germany, Alaska, Korea, and Vietnam. He was awarded the Combat Infantry Badge for being under hostile fire and the Bronze Star for outstanding service during the Vietnam Conflict. Other commendations included the Army Commendations Medal and the Meritorious Service Medal. He retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1974. Following his retirement, Dick served as Director of the USO in Columbia, SC until its closing. He then became Director of the SC Lions Sight Conservation Association and also was a member of Cayce-West Columbia Lions Club. Dick was an active member of Our Saviour Lutheran church for 25 years. He is survived by his loving wife, Inez Parker Black, children: Rick Black of West Palm Beach, FL, Randy and wife, Lee Black of Gastonia, NC, Melissa Black of Mt. Pleasant, SC, Ron Collins of Northport, AL, Randy and wife Gail Collins of Lexington, SC, and Michael and wife Laura Collins of Gaston, SC; seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; brother, Gary and wife Kay Black of West Columbia and an aunt, Margaret Tedder Rodgers of Beaufort, SC; his two Maltese dogs, Angel & Dotti. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Our Saviour Lutheran Church, 1500 Sunset Blvd., West Columbia, SC 29169 or Tri-County Hospice, 166 Stoneridge Drive, Ste. 100, Columbia, SC 29210. Family and friends may sign online guest book at: www.thompsonsfuneral.com Visit our guestbook at www.postandcourier.com/deaths. Tags: 1954
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