Gerald Marion Black

Gerald Marion Black was born to Marion and Verda Black on December 12, 1933. Gerald had four brothers and two sisters. Gerald had polio when he was a young child which affected his legs and troubled him most of his life.

Gerald went to work at the sawmill at age 13 working for $1 a day. Also, at the age of 13 Gerald was chosen as the winner of The Trail Builders Contest and was honored by putting a picture of him with a wagon and a gun stock he carved from wood on the cover of The Children's Friend magazine in September of 1946.

Gerald graduated from San Juan High School in May of 1951. He attended Carbon College in Price Utah for a while and then came home to marry his high school sweetheart Alison Sheppard. They were sealed for time and all eternity in the Manti temple on June 15, 1953.

Gerald was drafted into the US Army in September 1954 at the end of the Korean war. Gerald had a great love for his country and was honored to serve. He served full time until 1956 and in the Army reserves for 10 years.

When Gerald returned home from the service, he was called on a stake mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Gerald enjoyed many various callings in the church. He was called to be the Scout Master twice and loved that calling and served for many years. He spent many hours with all the boys in the ward and the stake. His goal with every boy that entered scouting was to create an Eagle Scout and most of them did.

Gerald loved chemistry and worked in the chemistry lab for 20 years. After leaving Blanding, Gerald attended school and became a licensed phlebotomist and worked in various jobs as a phlebotomist. He then went to school again and obtained his CNA license and worked in that field.

Gerald loved serving with his wife. Together they served as volunteers at the Professional Golf Association events in Las Vegas for five years after they retired. They were also called on a mission to work at the Bishops Storehouse in St. George for 3 years. Upon completion of that mission Gerald was called as an ordinance worker at the St. George Temple where he served for 10 years. He loved his service and especially his mission to the storehouse and his temple work.

Gerald was privileged to go on the Honor Flight for US Veterans in March of 2023 and was accompanied by his daughter Mary. He enjoyed visiting all the memorial sites in our nation's capital with his daughter and all the other veterans.

Gerald lived for his family. He loved his sweetheart with the sweetest love for 72 ½ years. He loved his children and posterity with all his heart. He always had a smile for each of them and was so happy to have family visit.

Gerald is survived by his wife, Alison Sheppard; children: Dale (Dorothy), Mary, Jerry, Norman (Tanya), Ardawn (Jared), Sherian (Jim), LaVon, and JaNell (Wade); 32 grandchildren; 73 great grandchildren; and 3 great great grandchildren.

Gerald was greeted on the other side of the veil by his parents Marion and Verda Black; his sister, Klea; brothers: Bruce, Max and Raymond; two sons-in-law: Roland Bowler (Mary), David Taylor (LaVon); daughter-in-law, Linda (Norman); grandson, Kevin (Ardawn and Jared); and great granddaughters: Hanna and Gracie (Kari and Steven). There was great rejoicing in heaven on Wednesday, January 28, 2026.

Services will be held on Friday, February 6, 2026, at 1:00 p.m., with a viewing prior from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the at the Metcalf Bonzo Mortuary Chapel, 288 W St George Blvd. St. George, Utah. Interment with Military Honors will be at Tonaquint Cemetery, 1777 South Dixie Drive, St. George Utah immediately following the services.

We appreciate the loving service and condolences from friends, family and the Eagles Landing Ward.

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