Lyman Earle Black

Funeral Services for lifelong Cortez resident, Lyman Earle Black will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 16, 2016 at Lighthouse Baptist Church. Pastor Bruce Burkett will officiate. Private interment will follow at Goodman Point Cemetery. Lyman Earle Black was born on August 27, 1928 in Goodman Point, Colo. the son of Clyde A. and Rena Earle (Cook) Black. Lyman passed away on Sunday, January 10, 2016 at the age of 87 years. Lyman married Daisy Mae Slavens on January 1, 1948 in Cortez. Lyman is survived by his wife, Daisy Mae of Cortez; his children, Dennis Black (Joy) of Scottsdale, Ariz., Jan Dykstra of Windsor, Colo., Karen Pickarts of Colorado Springs, Colo. and Debbie Hamilton (Tony) of Cortez; his seven grandchildren, Deanna Dykstra, Kelly Dykstra (Lori), Carmen Hallock (Keith), Colby Black, Calan Black, Kylee Mobley (Micah) and Kenin Carhart (Jeff); and his nine great grandchildren, Jacob Dykstra, Wendy Dykstra, Logan Hamilton, Bailey Hulsey, Jordan Hallock, Ethan Hallock, Braxton Mobley, Kohler Mobley and Kalyssa Carhart. Lyman was preceded in death by his parents; and by one brother and one sister. Memorial contributions may be made in Lyman Black's name to Project Outreach 7 West First Street, Cortez, Colo. 81321. LYMAN'S EULOGY Lyman Earle Black was born August 27, 1928 on Goodman Point to Clyde and Rena Black, Lyman was the oldest of three children, one brother Leon, and one sister, Inez, both deceased. As a boy of five or six years of age, he could be found-usually alone-roaming the country side for most of the day. He found arrow heads, watched the deer and other animals, and was filled with amazement and joy. At the age of 12 or 13, he did all the farming from the spring work through harvest. His father was ill in Denver, and after surgery, returned home to recover. Lyman had many stories to tell about his one room school house. One of his favorites was the time the teacher was five minutes late one morning. He decided why waste a beautiful morning, just perfect to be outside. He invited a couple of boys and off they went. When they returned they were all punished for leaving the school. When the teacher couldn't hear, they told all the others what they missed by staying in school. Lyman stayed with his Uncle John and Aunt Betty one school year in Rialto, California to attend High School. After school Lyman put in a few hours in a grocery store where Uncle John worked and used his money to buy parts for his motorcycle back home. He completely over hauled it making it like new. When Lyman and I were dating, I went with his parents to see a baseball game. The Goodman Point team was playing at Cahone. Lyman was the pitcher. After he had pitched 18 strike outs, I could hold it no longer. I shouted "Lyman you are wonderful!" The crowed clapped and cheered agreeing what a great job he had done. Of course, the Goodman Point team won the game. I was teased about it many times for years afterwards. While Lyman was in the Air Force, he served four years, he went to night school for his GED and earned two years of college credits from St. Mary's University. Several nights a week he worked at a gas station. He has always been a hard worker. In the barrack Lyman was in, before Dennis, baby Jan and I moved down, before "lights out" he read the Bible and shared his faith in God-leading several on the men to know the Lord Dennis, Jan and I stayed with my parents until Jan was six weeks old, then we traveled to San Antonio where we would live off the base. When my Dad asked "Lyman where will you meet us?" he replied "the Alamo! Everybody knows where the Alamo is!" We received perfect directions and there stood Lyman, a handsome Air Force man waiting to see his family. Karen, our second daughter, was born on the base maternity ward. We have always called her our "yellow Rose of Texas". Debbie, our third daughter, has always been a delight-just in time for Christmas. We enjoyed going to church in Palm Heights Baptist Church and met many service men and their families. One of the men and his family came from the state of Washington several times after the four years in the Air Force was completed to see us. When out of the service, Lyman worked here in Cortez for Basil Slavens as a bookkeeper in Slavens Hardware on Main Street. Also in Slavens Hardware in Blanding, Utah. His father in law was very pleased with his ability, honesty, and loyalty. Lyman loved flying and logged over 6, 000 hours. He was pilot of Nielsons Construction, Inc. and Cortez Flying Service. Early in the morning he would fly crews to the oil fields, and then return in the evening to pick them up and return back to the Cortez Airport. He made many emergency charger trips to Denver and Salt Lake, since they knew he would be sober any time of the day or night. Lyman even had a nice visit with Roy Rogers one flight to Arizona (a Christian movie actor). Lyman flew dignitaries on charter trips, including Albert Wing, Chief of the Ute Tribe to Oklahoma, where chiefs of many other tribes all met for a big affair. Lyman was very interested in how each chief would eye the one being introduced very closely. As a pilot he was trained to watch the weather conditions, cloud formations and all were a great asset in his paintings. Lyman's hunting with the bow and arrow gave opportunity to observe deer and elk at close range and their habits. He wanted his animals to look real-like a horse was to have the muscles in the right place. Being a self-taught, excellent artist many homes have an oil painting of Lyman's and in different States in the United States, Scotland and England. Lyman designed and painted the picture for the cover of my book "The Light He Leaves Burning" Memories of Basil Slavens. Music always meant a lot to Lyman. He could play the big bass fiddle, banjo, guitar, harmonica, sing and yodel. Our daughter, Karen, played the piano with him. Lyman loved different kinds of music-Mexican, western and even some opera. Harmony touched him very much. Lyman's mechanical skill was used often in his life. He put in many hours to install a new transmission in our car. When he was finished-ready to back the car out of the garage-we were all so happy and Dennis cheered-"Dad it works!!" Lyman taught Dennis calf roping and had much enjoyment going to rodeos where he did very well. Lyman served different positions in the church over the years-deacon, adult Sunday School teacher, youth leader, and filled in six months as Pastor of the First Baptist Church in Cortez where he made his profession of Christ as his Savior and was baptized years before. Later, he was Pastor of the Sovereign Grace Baptist Church in Cortez. He could sing bass or lead group singing in soprano. A couple now at Lighthouse, have told how they benefited from his preaching and are very thankful for what he did spiritually for them. Real estate was his business for over 20 years. First with United Farm Agency and then the owner and broker of Colorado Western Real Estate his own business. When Dennis returned home from Vietnam, he became a broker in the business. Lyman leased land in the Mancos area and raise cattle. Early in the mornings or late in the evening he would go over and check on them. One thing our girls didn't like was the branding part! Lyman was in the Sheriff's Posse-a Major. Search and rescue was an important part. Roping-calf and team-was enjoyable to watch. Lyman made a barbecue grill and gave it to the Cortez Trap Club. He was a talented shooter-going to many events and bringing home trophies. Lyman loved all his grandchildren, taking the boys to Lake Powell fishing. What precious memories each one has. Each granddaughter and great granddaughters are very special, as well as the great grandsons. At the age of 58, Lyman took up golfing. He has four holes in one on his record. He was good, and enjoyed the fresh air, exercise, and good friendship. What a man-who loved the Lord and looked forward to the day when he would be in Heaven. Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, but love leaves a memory that no one can steal. January 1, 2016 was over 68 years of married life together. We all thank Lyman as the "best" Husband, father grand and great grandfather. Words to a favorite hymn of Lyman's "What a Day That Will Be" 1.There is a coming a day when no heart aches shall come, no more clouds in the sky, no more tears to dim the eye. All is peace for ever more on that happy golden shore, what a glorious day that will be. 2.They'll be no more sorrow there, no more burden to bear, nor more sickness, no pain, no more parting over there; and forever I will be with the one who died for me, what a glorious day that will be. Chorus: What a day that will be when my Jesus I shall see, and I look upon his face, the one who saved me by his grace. When he takes me by the hand, and leads me through the Promise Land, what a day, glorious day that will be. Lyman's Day Came On: January 10, 2016