Danny Randolph "Unk" Black

ODESSA - Danny Randolph Black, age 66, passed from this life at Medical Center Hospital on Friday, August 26, 2022, after a long battle with prostate cancer. He was born Saturday, January 28, 1956 in Odessa, TX to the late John Randolph and Oma Nadine (Hall) Black.

Danny worked as a truck driver for Hooper Trucking. Danny considered the Hoopers family. He greatly appreciated all that Kay Harrison, Ron Hooper and others did for him.

Prior to working for Hooper Trucking he worked with his brother-in-law Frank Kastl in the state fair and carnival ride business, as well as for the Bishop family. Everyone knows Danny Black was quite the hand. He gave 120% to any job he ever did. Work was his life and life was his work. But he also enjoyed his personal time.

Danny played high school football for both OHS and Permian. He was well liked and his coaches loved him so much they even made him a special helmet. Danny a/k/a "Partner," "Cowboy," "Unk," and "Soulman" was always the life of the party. Anyone who knew Danny knew he could dance and dance he did. Country and Western dancing was his thing. He loved the Dallas Cowboys, the San Antonio Spurs and the Dallas Mavericks. Danny was always excited to celebrate everyone's accomplishments, he was genuinely proud and happy for others successes, and he always showed and supported the kids' sporting events, and he yelled for and promoted others "yea buddy." "Unk" was always there when you needed him. He loved to talk but he also loved to listen. He was never looking for a free ride and always wanted to earn his keep. His love for Texas football and basketball kept him talking as long as you were engaged in the conversation.

Uncle Danny loved the holidays especially Thanksgiving and Christmas. At Thanksgiving he was always ready to roll his sleeves up and get to work and after dinner he made sure the dishes were done and insisted we all go to a show. In other words, we went to the movies. It became our family tradition and it's 33 years strong and counting - we're going to keep it going Uncle Dan. At Christmas he always had money for the kids even if he had to get the cards from his sister Tricia. He was generous beyond measure.

You could ask Danny the mile marker for any city on I-10 or I-20 and he knew it. Danny loved music! When you heard a song on the radio, you could ask him the name of the song and he knew it. "Soulman" dedicated years to care for his friend Billy. He washed dishes at every family gathering and made a not-fun task fun. He just wanted to "get 'er done." He was a great hand and a great "pa-tner" to all. He loved his family both given and chosen. He was a God-fearing man, a good person, had a positive, loving, supportive energy that made all he encountered feel special. He put other people before himself and as we all know he believed in extra extra heavy starch - his starched clothing always left him ready to roll in the morning - is what he would always say.

He passed away Friday morning, went to Heaven, and had the best seat in the house for Friday Night Lights.

Danny would want you to know this: "The last good-bye's is the hardest one to say...this is where the cowboy rides away...Thank you all for your love, support and kindness...I hope you all know how important and special you were to me."

Those left to cherish his love and memory include his daughter Danielle Denise whom he loved very much and so wished he could have spent more time with her; his sister Patricia Nadine Kastl and her husband Frank E. Kastl; Joseph and Ann Kastl; his nieces and nephews Krisi Kastl and Sean Sullivan, Kay and Frank Kastl, Erica and Greg Kastl, Misti and Robert Kastl, Stella and Richard Kastl, Cameron and Harper Kastl, Ashley Kastl, Terry Joy, Larry Joy and James Joy; grand nieces and nephews Joseph, Kylie, Katherine, Kalista, Gavin, Jacob, Peyton, Kaden, Kaity and Marley Kastl; and his friends that were like family: Janet Talley, Rossi Armstrong, Kipp Talley, his chosen family Danny Daniels, Jimmy Daniels, and chosen nieces Angelee Blackman and Makaylee Daniels. Danny was also survived by cousin Sue Maldonado and husband Oscar and their children, and cousins David and Kuita Hall, as well as several other cousins and grand cousins.

Danny was preceded in death by his parents and his sister and brother-in-law Elaine and Steve Joy, and nephews Ernest Randolph Kastl and Daniel Vincent Kastl.

Funeral services to celebrate Danny's life were held at Acres West Funeral Chapel on Thursday, September 1, 2022 at 2:00 pm. Pastor Clydel Chapman was the officiate.

Arrangements are entrusted to Acres West and condolences may be sent to the family online at acreswestfuneral.com.

Flowers are welcome or in lieu of flowers, please send a donation to a charity of your choice in honor of Danny Randolph Black.