Therel R Black

Therel R. Black, 89, our beloved father and grandfather died peacefully on Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2006.
Therel was born in his grandmother’s kitchen in Ferron, Utah, on June 30, 1917. He spent his early years living on the family’s homestead, memorialized in his book of Old Ranch Stories.
Excelling in academics and leadership, he served as student body president in high school and at Snow College. While at college, he was notified that his father, William Black, Sheriff of Emery County, had been killed in the line of duty. With his industrious mother, Clyda, the family moved to Provo, Utah, where Therel and his siblings graduated from Brigham Young University. Subsequently, he earned his master’s degree at Louisiana State University and his Ph.D. at the University of Wisconsin at Madison.
While at the University of Wisconsin, he met his wife, Jerrilyn. He was drafted into World War II, where he served in France. Therel and Jerrilyn were married on June 16, 1944, and were sealed in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. While stationed in France, Therel’s first daughter, Beth was born. After the war, he returned to Wisconsin and from there he and his family moved to Stillwater, Okla., where he became an assistant professor of sociology and where his second daughter, LaDonna, was born. In 1949 Therel joined the faculty at Utah State University, where he eventually served as head of the Sociology Department. It was in Logan that Bonnie, his third daughter was born.
He was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. One of his favorite positions was that of teacher for his high priest quorum.
Therel was known for his abundant garden and orchard, which he shared with many others. He loved to fish, especially with his grandchildren.
He is survived by daughters, Beth Black Esplin (Roy) of Logan, LaDonna Black Holland (Nick) of Salt Lake City and Bonnie Black Loeffler (Skip) of Las Vegas. Grandchildren are Melissa Rohrer (Brandon), Kristin Bennion (Kevin), Greg Esplin, Bruce Esplin (Yayoi), Jesse Loeffler and Michelle Cluff (Trevor). Great-grandchildren are Megan, Andrea, Samuel, Liam Rohrer, and Nathan and Eva Bennion.
He is preceded in death by his siblings, Glen, Eldonna and Merrill, and is survived by his older brother Ronald and younger sister Velma.
Funeral services will be held at noon on Saturday, October 7, at the Logan 23rd Ward, 565 E. 100 South, in Logan. Friends may call from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the church preceding the funeral Burial will be in the Garland Cemetery in Garland, Utah. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Allen-Hall Mortuary.