Edward Gerald (Jerry) Black

Edward Gerald (Jerry) Black, 81, of Clyde went peacefully to be with the Lord on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, in Abilene at Hendrick Hospice Care. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, March 28, 2026, at Second Chance Cowboy Church with Terry Simmons officiating under the direction of Bailey Howard Funeral Home of Clyde. Burial will follow in Clyde Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. 
Jerry was born on July 4, 1944, in Merkel to Edward Arch and Robbie Louise (Barbee) Black. He was a 1962 graduate of Abilene High School. In 1962, his first day after turning 18, he started working at Sojourner Drilling Corporation for his father. He married Nora Jordan on June 4, 1964, in Eastland. He had worked as a welder for 42 years at multiple jobs including LeClair, Ace Rathole and Bandera. After retiring from Sojourner in 2014, Jerry enjoyed working on the farm and spending time with his children and grandchildren. Jerry loved fishing, old western movies and Jerry Black was a respected leader and dedicated volunteer within his community. He generously contributed his welding skills to numerous projects throughout Clyde, leaving a lasting impact. Among his many contributions, he helped construct one of the first baseball fields in the community park and built the field goal posts at the original high school football field, which served Friday night games for many years. In addition, he devoted significant time and effort to the Callahan County Livestock Association, playing a key role in building and improving its facilities—many of which are still in use today. He was a member of the Clyde First Baptist Church and also attended Second Chance Cowboy Church. 
Jerry is survived by his wife of 61 years, Nora Black of Clyde; his sons, Jerry Don Black and Ashley and Bradley Black and wife Ashlie; two sisters, Vickie Schmidt of Bryan and Janet Porter of Abilene; several nieces and nephews; grandchildren, Brandon and Whitney Black, Kinnia Black and Jacob Hovey, Alicia and Grant Morris, Hagen and Hannah Black, Jessica Akers and Colton Price, Braiden Black and Larissa Hodnett, Meredith Akers, Coleson Black and a special great grandson, Wesson J. Black. 
Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Robbie Black; his sisters, Kay Ledbetter, and Brenda Ingram; brothers-in-law, Otis Jordan, Edward (Tooter) Ledbetter and Ron Schmidt; niece, Brenda Ledbetter and his daughter, Kimberly Black Akers. 
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Cancer Service Network of Abilene, PO Box 2026, Abilene, Texas 79604 or Hendrick Hospice Care, 1900 Pine St., Abilene, Texas 79601.
Online condolences may be made at https://www.bailey-howardfuneralhome.com.